Abbotsford News, October 11, 2012

Page 1

THURSDAY

ABBY DOMINATES TOURNEY

A B B O T S F O R D Online all the time. In print Tuesday & Thursday

Unproven drug therapy offers hope for woman with Huntington’s disease

Local teams sweep top spots at the 35th annual Gobbler rugby tournament A29

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‘Why can’t we risk living?’ TEACHING EXCELLENCE

Neil CORBETT Abbotsford News

Andy Meinen of Abbotsford wants to get people thinking about this question: If Canadian law can be changed to allow a suffering person to have an assisted suicide, why can’t the law change to allow a person to take a drug that might save his or her life – even if that drug has not yet been approved for public use? His wife Hanna has been battling Huntington’s disease, which is steadily diminishing her brain function. There is currently no cure. Hanna, 39, is losing motor function, and becomes confused about where she is. “Living with Huntington’s is hell. You’re consumed by it,” Andy says. There has been a breakthrough. Researchers at the University of Alberta have developed a therapy that not only stops the disease, but reverses many of the effects – in mice. The problem is that the drug must first undergo clinical trials, and then be approved for human consumption – a process that typically takes seven to 10 years. Andy wants that fast-tracked. “We don’t have that time. The alternative is certain death, so why not?” Hanna knows what’s at stake. “She understands,” he said. “It has given her hope, whereas before she was suicidal. “If people are allowed to die, why can’t we risk living?” The couple has launched an awareness campaign, Hanna’s Ride for Life, Continued on A7

OCTOBER 11, 2012

A4 Abbotsford educator honoured with prime minister’s certificate

‘CRIME BOSS’ VIDEO SHOWN A5 West trial hears confession during Mr. Big police sting

BACK FROM 7,000 KM RIDE A20 Local man recalls epic cycle across Canada for cancer cause

NEIL CORBETT Abbotsford News

Hanna Meinen wants to use a new therapy for Huntington’s disease before it passes through what could be a decade of clinical testing and bureacratic approvals. Her husband Andy is campaigning for changes in law to allow such access.

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