Main fundraiser photo

The Branco Warriors

Donation protected
The Branco Family would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has supported Sergio and his 2 year battle with leukemia.

Unfortunately Saturday, Sergio's fight came to an end. He fought a good fight and will forever be remembered as our warrior. He passed away suddenly Saturday afternoon; which took the entire family by surprise as he was on a positive path to recovery.  He leaves behind 3 young children, Yasmine 16, Gavin 8 and Tristan 3 and wife Mara, along with his parents, Grandfather, Aunts, Uncles and his 2 brothers and 3 sisters and cousins.  He will be truly missed by so many.

There will be a wake for Sergio - Tuesday Evening from 7-9PM at Buyus Funeral Home in Newark and a mass at 9AM, Wednesday, at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Elizabeth, NJ. One of Sergio's final wishes was to be laid to rest in Portugal. His body will be transported Thursday for burial.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone again who has kept him in their prayers. We also ask that in lieu of flowers, as his body will be transported to Portugal, anyone who wishes to make a contribution can either donate directly to gofundme which will help with funeral expenses, or to please donate directly to the Leukemia Society in hopes that this disease does not continue to take innocent and precious lives.

This was his story:
On January 18, 2013, Sergio (Branco) started having complications with his chest and breathing. Prior to going to the hospital, he complained about bone pains and being extremely fatigued. He decided to go to the emergency room thinking it could be his blood pressure. Upon test after test, blood results came back abnormal. He was admitted at night and was told he had to stay the weekend because his immune system was very weak. Doctor's then advised him he could potentially have Leukemia. He had to wait until Monday for a Bone Marrow test. On January 21st, he was diagnosed with AML Leukemia and this is where his battle began.

Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) is a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow. In AML, the bone marrow makes many unformed cells called blasts. Blasts normally develop into white blood cells that fight infection. However, the blasts are abnormal in AML. They do not develop and cannot fight infections. The bone marrow may also make abnormal red blood cells and platelets. The number of abnormal cells (or leukemia cells) grows quickly. They crowd out the normal red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets the body needs. AML is the most common Leukemia.

Sergio is 32 years old, a loving son, brother, father, husband, cousin, & friend. He is married to his beautiful soulmate, Mara Branco and together they have three wonderful children, Yasmine (14yrs old), Gavin (6yrs old), and Tristan (18 months old). Sergio is his kids best friend & vice versa. They are a BIG family filled with BIG LOVE. In addition, he is hardworking and lovable kind of guy. Anyone that knows him knows he has an awesome sense of humor. Lastly, when it comes to helping others, he is there with no questions asked.

With this being said, we are asking for any help with donations for his personal & medical bills as he will not be able to work for 5 months to complete the chemotherapy process. As he fights against this disease, the bills will keep rolling in for him and his family.

Thank you for your time and please keep him & his family in your prayers.


No dia 18 de janeiro de 2013, Sérgio começou a ter complicações com o peito e respiração. Antes de ir para o hospital, ele se queixou de dores ósseas e sendo extremamente cansado. Ele decidiu ir para a sala de emergência pensando que poderia ser a sua pressão arterial. Após teste após teste, os resultados de sangue voltou anormal. Ele foi internado e disseram-lhe que tinha que ficar o fim de semana porque seu sistema imunológico estava muito fraco. O médico disse-lhe que poderia ter leucemia. Ele teve que esperar até segunda-feira para um teste de Medula Óssea. No dia 21 de janeiro, foi diagnosticado com leucemia AML e é aí que a batalha começou.


Leucemia mielóide aguda (AML) é um câncer de crescimento rápido do sangue e da medula óssea. Na AML, a medula óssea produz muitas células informe chamado explosões. Explosões normalmente se desenvolvem em células brancas do sangue que combatem a infecção. No entanto, as explosões são anormais na AML. Eles não desenvolvem e não pode combater infecções. A medula óssea pode também fazer anormais glóbulos vermelhos e plaquetas. O número de células anormais (ou células de leucemia) cresce rapidamente. Desviam os glóbulos vermelhos normais, glóbulos brancos e plaquetas o corpo necessita. LMA é a leucemia mais comum.


Sérgio tem 32 anos, um filho amoroso, irmão, pai, marido, primo, e amigo. Ele é casado com sua alma gêmea, Mara Branco e juntos eles têm três filhos maravilhosos, Yasmine (14yrs de idade), Gavin (6yrs de idade), e Tristan (18 meses). Sergio é o melhor amigo das crianças e vice-versa. Eles são uma família grande enchido com grande amor. Além disso, ele é gentil, amável e trabalhador. Qualquer um que o conhece sabe que ele tem um incrível senso de humor. Por último, quando se trata de ajudar os outros, ele está lá, sem perguntas.


Com isto dito, nós estamos pedindo qualquer ajuda com doações para suas contas pessoais e médicos como ele não vai ser capaz de trabalhar por 5 meses para concluir o processo de quimioterapia. Enquanto ele luta contra esta doença, as contas vão continuar para ele e sua família.


Obrigado pelo seu tempo e por favor, mantenha ele e sua família em suas orações.
Donate

Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $50
    • 7 yrs
Donate

Organizer

Sandy Marujo
Organizer
Elizabeth, NJ

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee