It was more than three years ago when Dr. Paolo Zamboni undertook a simple but previously unheard of procedure to stop multiple sclerosis (MS) from taking his wife away from him.

The Italian doctor developed a theory that the degenerative disease is caused by a lack of blood flow to the brain, and by opening up the veins in his wife's neck, he hoped to halt the disease's progression.

And it worked; Zamboni's wife has not had an attack since.

But it was not until recently that Canadians and the world came to hear about, and in many cases seek out, the unproven treatment for the crippling disease.

MS attacks the nervous system and over the years strips away its victims' physical and cognitive abilities. In the end, it often leaves people absolutely disabled, often unable to even communicate.

Yukoner Tim Cant was diagnosed with Stage Four MS five years ago, his sister-in-law, Barb Hume, told the Star this week.

"We have no way of knowing how long he's had it,” she said. "He could have had it his whole life.”

At this point, Cant is having trouble walking and tires very easily, Hume said; another attack will weaken him further, no one knows by how much.

But news of Zamboni's success has given Cant and many other MS patients great hope for what has always been considered an incurable disease.

The procedure is not approved in Canada, it cannot be done on all MS patients and the treatment has not faced the scrutiny of a large-scale controlled study. Nevertheless, it has given great hope to many MS sufferers.

"We want Tim to be cured, but we also want to raise awareness about this procedure being done in Canada,” Hume said.

"So we'll be lobbying Canada and also the territorial government to get this treatment approved in Canada.”

But Cant will not have to wait for that to happen because he is leaving for Bangalore, India next week, where he will receive the experimental treatment.

"Tim has been searching and searching for this treatment and just all of a sudden got word that he was a candidate and it could be done in India,” Hume told the Star. "It was a Godsend, a blessing.

"There's nowhere in Canada to get the procedure, although they are doing the screenings here,” she explained. "Tim was very lucky to get approval to a hospital in India.

"All the research has been done about the surgeon and about the hospital and it all looks very positive.”

Although not as expensive as treatment in the United States, where the procedure costs about $80,000, Cant's sojourn to India will cost about $25,000, Hume said. None of that will be covered by his health insurance.

That is why Cant's family and friends are organizing a number of fund-raisers over the next week to help him and his wife, Mary Jane, pay for the trip and treatment.

The first is a potluck being held tonight at the Haines Junction Convention Centre, with entertainment courtesy of Gramma Sarah.

The big event, also a potluck, is happening tomorrow at the Mount McIntyre Recreation Centre.

As of Tuesday, a raft of entertainers had already signed up, including Bob Charlie, Kevin Barr, Dennis Allen, Malcolm Dawson, and Lacey Scarf, with more expected to come on board up to the time the doors open at 6 p.m., Hume said.

Organizers have gathered a load of door prizes and auction items, she said, the highlights being a number of carved paddles and masks.

"We're very grateful to all our supporters; it's just amazing how many people have come forward to help us,” Hume said.

The family is hoping to raise at least half the cost of the trip, she said.

Those unable to attend the event but who want to contribute can drop donations off at the Champagne and Aishihik offices on Jarvis Street in Whitehorse.