Helping Gabriel Pollard's family...

With heavy hearts we are sad to announce the sudden passing of our nephew Gabriel Pollard.  Gabe had been confined to a wheelchair for the past few years, his body slowly breaking down under the ravages of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, but you couldn't tell it by talking to him. His spirit was so light and airy - and he always started off every conversation asking how YOU were doing.

He was gregarious and outgoing, a great spokesperson for the MD community and would have been a great ambassador someday. But that someday will never come. Gabe had just finished his run at the Disabled Sailing site in Victoria BC last Thursday and was being lifted off the boat when the lift broke, send him crashing to the deck. He rolled into the water and quickly went unconscious and quickly died.

He was rushed to the hospital but even the valiant efforts of the VGH Hospital staff were not able to revive him. Gabe's mother (my sister) was with him the whole time, and watched the whole thing. It is a parent's and a family's worst nightmare. I know my sister will never be the same, and we have lost the last years of this amazing young man's life.

We are asking for help to keep my sister and family functioning for as long as possible - funeral expenses are sadly just a part of it. They are going to need help for a long time - we will do everything we can, but we will need help.

Thank you.