Cancer Patient Fights BC Government

VICTORIA - John Michael Barna is in the fight of his life.
It began last year when he learned he had pancreatic cancer.
"She walked into my room and sat on the bed out at Vic General and said, 'You'd better get your affairs in order, you have three months to live," recalls Barna "And I said you're kidding, and she said no".
Surgery removed all but a small tumour, a regime of holistic medicine and Barna thought he was on the road to recovery; then more bad news.
"My weight is coming down at such a rapid pace that if something's not done immediately that the doctors told me I'd be dead in three months".
To get the weight back on, Barna is boosting his caloric intake with nutritional supplements costing $360 a month.
Disabled and living on a limited income, he applied to the Ministry of Social Development for emergency funds.
But when Bara turned to the government for help to pay for the nutritional supplement, he says it would only give him a 17 day supply each month. Despite the fact his doctors wrote several letters supporting his application, even marking them urgent.
Barna is frustrated by the delay to get help. "We've been at this for over eight months".
He even turned to MLA Carole James.
She says despite a letter to Minister Harry Bloy and phone calls to his office, the only response was a letter asking for patience.
"I want the minister to recognize this isn't a compassionate way of dealing with an individual. This isn't providing support to someone in the end stage of their life. This isn't looking after someone," James tells /A\ News.
But that has changed. Barely a day after /A\ News began asking questions, the Ministry of Social Development issued a statement.
"We're pleased that we've found a solution that we hope will be beneficial to Dr. (John Michael) Barna's health," the Ministry wrote to /A\ News "In this case, the client will receive all of the Ensure nutritional supplement he needs, shipped directly to his home."
The ministry is also increasing money for nutritional supplement.
Barna says he's happy the funding has been resolved.
"When some days you can't even get out of bed, it's the biggest challenge I've ever faced".
A fight for life that's now a little easier, since he no longer has to battle the government.