BC Cancer Foundation - Spring 2016 - (Page 14)

LEGACY GIVING B.C. Fitness Mogul Leaves a Gift to Help Cure Cancers T o many, Henry Polessky was known as the father of fitness. To his brother Nick, he was "a guy who you'd certainly want as a friend." The Montreal native met his wife, Claudette, at a gym, and together they moved to B.C. when they had the opportunity to purchase a chain of three fitness centres. Nick says Henry had a natural gift in motivating employees and knowing how to look after members. Building on his passion for fitness and skill in creating an environment where members felt valued, Henry re-branded the three fitness centres with the launch of Fitness World in 1978. It grew into a chain of 13 thriving gyms. While growing Fitness World took a lot of Henry's time and energy, he always made room for his life passions: travelling and cruising with Claudette, skiing and hiking excursions around the world. Nick recalls one trip in particular in which Henry prepared for hiking the peaks of Ecuador by filling his backpack with rocks and heading up the Grouse Grind. In the mid-2000s, Henry sold Fitness World to NBA superstar Steve Nash's company and remained involved at an advisory level for a number of years following. While health, fitness and family were centre stage in his life, Henry was no stranger to cancer. The disease first took his beloved Claudette, and just one year later LEAVE YOUR MARK Henry Polessky takes a break while on a ski trip to Whistler with Fitness World partners John Lovell and Dave Thorne. he lost his daughter Susan in the prime of her life. Nick says Henry's work helped to buoy him from the loss. Seven years later, Henry was diagnosed with cancer. In the final months of his own disease, his passion for travel and people prevailed as he and Nick set out on one last brotherly adventure, a cruise. Henry died in January 2014, but he has left a legacy in the quest to uncover more cures for cancer. Cancer's toll on his loved ones compelled the fitness mogul to support research by leaving a portion of his estate to the BC Cancer Foundation. His incredible gift has totaled over $1 million. "Henry was a very generous person and he wanted to find a cure to help people in need," says Nick, a cancer will and survivor himself. "I gotta love him for it." more Advance cancer research with a gift in your still ensure your family is well cared for. For information, contact Cary Gaymond at 604-877-6152 or legacy@bccancer.bc.ca. 14 PARTNERS IN DISCOVERY

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of BC Cancer Foundation - Spring 2016

BC Cancer Foundation - Spring 2016
Opening Thoughts
Contents
Healthy Insights
Why I Give
Researcher Profile
Defying the Odds: New Prostate Cancer
Clinical Trials Advance Cancer Care for All
Malaria Protein Shows Promise
Legacy Giving
Regional Roundup

BC Cancer Foundation - Spring 2016