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After announcing on Thursday they would begin sending people to the U.S. for a trial of the Liberation treatment for Multiple Sclerosis, over a hundred applications have been received by the provincial government.

 

The province will put $2.2 million toward sending Saskatchewan residents down to Albany, New York, for the trial of the experimental treatment.

 

Health Minister Don McMorris feels it's the province's responsibility to help those dealing with the effects of MS: "Many people have looked at this treatment as a symptom reliever, and we want to know how effective it is so that it will answer those questions and help inform us into the future."

 

McMorris adds anyone suffering from MS in Saskatchewan can apply for the trials and will be subject to a screening process. If they're randomly selected, they have to go through another process through criteria set up by the medical trial community, and if they're still eligible, they will travel to Albany for the procedure.

 

Donovan Fehr talked with Health Minister Don McMorris about the MS clinical trials:

 

 

 

The announcement Thursday came as a relief to some, caused excitement in others and will be criticized by a few. Former Moose Jaw resident, Lori Montcalm believed enough in the treatment to travel to Germany a year ago to have the surgery, and doesn't regret it for a moment. "It significantly slowed down the progression of the disease. I am virtually at the same spot as I was when I had the Liberation Treatment."

 

"For me, it was a huge success and I just want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who helped me." Montcalm explained that she was declining significantly before she had the procedure done and believes it has helped in her battle against MS.

 

While patients will still have to travel out of province for the treatment, many believe this could be first step to bringing the procedure home.

 

Applications for the clinical trials are being accepted until February 24th. Those wishing to volunteer for the study should talk to their doctors or contact the Ministry of Health.

 

Written with files from DiscoverMooseJaw.com