A Westlock family that has been on a “Quest for Liberation” since August has reached a major milestone in their efforts — they are sending their loved ones for treatment this week.
Donna Bosman, Val Kuzmic and Tim Strehlau all suffer from Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and thanks in no small part to Tim’s daughter Tracey Strehlau’s fundraising efforts, will go to California for the controversial “Liberation Treatment.” The family hosted a dance at the Memorial Hall in Westlock last Saturday as part of their ongoing fundraising efforts.
“We know it’s not a cure, but if it helps in any way to relieve their symptoms then it’s worth it,” Tracey said.
Italian doctor Paolo Zamboni pioneered the treatment after his research suggested that in many MS sufferers, some of the symptoms of the disease were related to blockages in the veins that drain blood from the brain.
The treatment involves a process similar to a treatment for heart blockages: a small balloon is used to expand the veins in question.
Many MS sufferers have reported the treatment has alleviated their symptoms to varying degrees, with symptoms returning only if the veins re-narrow.
The treatment is not yet available through Alberta’s healthcare system — it is still in the trial phase. As such, MS sufferers have had to travel outside the country to get the treatment.
“It’s very upsetting,” Tracey said. “We’re just hopeful and we pray that for all those people suffering that they bring the treatment here.”
The family’s fundraising efforts began last August, with Tracey Strehlau being thrust into the leadership role.
“When I first hear about (the treatment), I mentioned it would be cool to do the fundraising because we’ve got three family members who suffer,” she said. “It got left for a while, then I got a phone call and was told I was put in charge. Let’s do this.”
They were not content to just raise the money for one of their family members, either — it has been an all-or-nothing endeavour.
“All of us agreed it was important for all three to go, not just one,” she added.
The family has raised about $20,000 so far. The cost of sending three people is higher than that, so their fundraising efforts will continue. Once that money has all been paid off, they hope to help others in the community who are suffering.
“A lot of people suffering from MS don’t have family and don’t have a lot of support for them,” Tim Strehlau said.
As far as the day-to-day effects of MS, he said they can be difficult to manage. For him, the major symptom is fatigue.
“I’m tired all the time,, and I’m confused easy,” he said. “The Gavinex that I take has prevented any severe relapses,” but that does not deal with the root cause of the symptoms.
He said the support from his family has been invaluable through all this, and in many ways the families have to deal with the repercussions of the disease as much as the sufferers themselves.
Having such strong support from the community has also been very inspirational for them, Tracey Strehlau said. They have hosted several barbecues, a Halloween party, a New Year’s Eve party, an ongoing bottle drive and Saturday’s family dance.
“We’re just happy that everybody’s been so good at coming out and supporting us, because these people are very important to us and we’re glad they’re getting the treatment,” she said.
One of the group’s big supporters has been the Westlock Rural Fire Association, which helped to organize and tend bar at some of the family’s events, including Saturday’s dance.
Drew Beattie, a member of the association, said he felt that although the cause is not necessarily related to firefighting, it is important to get involved in community efforts.
“We’re always helping people anyway, this is just another way,” he said.
Tim Strehlau said he has also been overwhelmed by the support from the community, and at this point is looking forward to getting the treatment — although he isn’t getting his hopes up too high.
“I’m skeptical, but optimistic at the same time,” he said. “We’re hopeful it’s going to do something, at least.”
