Di Bella to answer questions June visit to Canada is to see doctor meet with cancer experts and patients By Paola Bernardini and Antonio Nicaso A dollar to save a life." That's the slogan that the Pro Di Bella Association has chosen as the banner marking the opening of a new bank account. The account, whose proceeds will be used by the Association for various philanthropic purposes, was opened at the Banca Commerciale Italiana of Canada (1671 Wilson Avenue, Downsview, Ontario, M3L 1A5 Pro Di Bella Association Account # 8734428-501). Anyone can go to any BCI branch and give a contribution to the Association. The Association's members, which number over 6,000, have recently signed a petition which they will present to MP Joe Volpe, parliamentary assistant to the Minster of Health. The petition asks the federal government to begin experimentation of the Di Bella cancer-fighting treatment. The association, which is based in the Columbus Centre (416-781-8862) is currently working hard to promote this cause and is seeking volunteers to help with organizational matters. Cancer patients from across Canada phoned the association's headquarters to enquire about the Di Bella therapy. Even oncologists and other medical experts contacted association president Giancarlo Florio, seeking information on the Italian physiologist's controversial methods. But the association's main efforts are concentrated on ironing out all the details of Di Bella's visit in Canada. The physiologist has once again confirmed that he will visit Toronto around the first week of June (although a specific date has not yet been set). Di Bella will be accompanied by another doctor, an associate of his, who will aid Di Bella in fielding questions about the method. The identity of the doctor has not yet been revealed but he is known to have already used the Di Bella treatment on several patients and will thus be in a position to clarify any misconceptions about the cancer-fighting method. As well, Ivano Camporeschi, Di Bella's spokesperson, and Patrizia Mizzon, president of the Italian Association of Neoplastic Patients (AIAN), are scheduled to visit Toronto. Di Bella will reportedly spend approximately one week in Canada, during which he will illustrate his methods to his Canadian counterparts. Di Bella will also reportedly meet with cancer patients, who will be able to ask him questions about his methods and about the differences between his therapy and the more conventional cancer-fighting methods such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Di Bella has announced his willingness to discuss how his method is being used in Brazil (under government supervision) and how it is being tested in Italy. "Di Bella's visit constitutes an acknowledgment of the work done by the Pro Di Bella Association and will be a great gesture to the Canadian people suffering from cancer," said Di Florio. "Di Bella is a consummate professional, a humble man and an extraordinary doctor who has always placed his patients' interests above his own. His visit is a way to acknowledge people's suffering and an attempt to answer in person all their queries. We are obviously very proud to welcome Dr. Di Bella and hope that he and his Canadian counterparts can iron out any misconceptions about the Di Bella treatment." While cancer patients await Di Bella's arrival, experts are waiting for the report by the Canadian delegation. The report is to be handed over to Volpe and will contain the Canadian oncologists' assessment of the Di Bella method. The report should also cover the issue of possible experimental trials of the Di Bella method in Canada. The Canadian doctors will reportedly ask Volpe to accord them further opportunities to get better acquainted with the Di Bella method. With his planned visit to Toronto, that could happen soon. Now it's all up to the Ministry of Health.