Alex Vasileski doesn’t want seniors or people facing chronic diseases to stay in the shadows.

Vasileski, a two-time cancer survivor, founded FightBack to improve the quality of life for some of the area’s most vulnerable residents.

FightBack, at 345 Memorial Drive, Suite A, in Crystal Lake, provides training and rehabilitation for people facing advanced age, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, obesity, Parkinson’s disease or those recovering from a stroke.

“We started this company because there is a gap in the industry for the chronically ill, particularly Parkinson’s patients,” Vasileski said. “Everyone experiences Parkinson’s differently. It’s a spectrum disease.”

Vasileski provides prospective members a free consultation to learn about their disease or areas in need of improvement. The next step is a free 90-minute assessment. During this process, the client is put through a series of tests to determine a baseline. They then discuss the results with Vasileski, who provides them with a treatment plan.

The cost of training varies depending on the program.

“We created this company that offers all the top modalities that have been medically researched to help slow, freeze or regress disease,” he said. “These exercise modalities, which are neurologically based, allow for the clients to experience Parkinson’s differently so they are able to reduce tremors [and] increase their ability to walk.”

Vasileski – a certified personal trainer, movement specialist and nutritionist – has been awarded numerous honors for his humanitarian efforts and his achievements in the health and wellness industry, according to the company’s website. He also has been profiled in health and entertainment magazines for overcoming cancer and his efforts encouraging men and women to get off the couch, no matter their level of fitness.

He said he works to “bring a change in terms of how people understand who they are and where they want to go, whether it’s disease or nondisease-based.”

“They come here and get treatment here, and work out here and get life coaching here,” he said.

He opened the 10,000-square-foot FightBack gym two months ago and has about 50 clients. Vasileski said America has an aging baby boomer population that will need such care and guidance in the coming years.

Most importantly, Vasileski said, he wants people facing chronic diseases and living without support to get their life back.

“We get them out and give them somewhere to be,” he said. “They’re not aging in place. That kills them. ... We really bring a sense of empowerment and hope.”