Jack Poole expected to make full recovery following pancreatic surgery

Jack Poole, Chairman of the Board of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), underwent pancreatic surgery yesterday in Vancouver. His surgical team reports a successful operation and expects a full and complete recovery.

The surgery was led by the head of pancreatic surgery at the University of British Columbia, Dr. Charles Scudamore. “This was a complete team effort,” said Dr. Scudamore. “Over the course of four hours our surgical team removed an isolated malignant tumour from the pancreas that showed no signs of having spread. After the full removal of the tumour, we also took several measures to ensure a healthy digestive system over the long term. Jack is a strong and healthy patient who handled the surgery very well. He will remain in hospital for a time, and will then follow a prescribed recovery program supervised by his medical team.”

“The day before his surgery, I spoke with Jack, who was following with great interest in the vote that day for those cities vying to host the 2014 Winter Games,” said John Furlong, VANOC Chief Executive Office. “Jack was positive and feeling good. These encouraging results from his surgery speak very well for his physical and mental health as he now transitions down the road to recovery. Jack has faced many challenges in his life, both in business and in health, and has always approached both with the same positive attitude and expectations for the very best results. Our thoughts are with him and his family as he recuperates.”

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010.

VANOC Communications
mediarelations@vancouver2010.com