Gustavo Bravo and his fight against Neuroblastoma
Donation protected
Hello my friends...
These are troubling times indeed. This year has seen the lives of many taken, much too soon in fact, and yet here I am, trying to prevent this awful year from claiming yet another life. My friend and former co-worker, Gustavo Bravo has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Neurobalstoma Cancer . This father and husband received a prognosis of one year to live.
I met Gustavo Bravo or "Bravo" as we called him in the fire department, about 7 years ago. He was in the firehouse kitchen cooking up what would be one of the most delicious meals I would ever experience. The aroma of various spices and peppers lingered in the air, chicken was being sauteed, avocados were being sliced, and the kitchen, with Bravo at the helm, was this masterful well oiled assembly line of firefighters turned line cooks. He had skill in the kitchen and his food was phenomenal. His command in the kitchen only magnified his charisma and leadership abilities. His steady sly smile and boisterous yet infectious laughter further made this short but burly man more likable.
Gustavo's wife, also a friend of mine since high school, Tanya Bravo, was seven months pregnant at the time he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblasotma Cancer. Upon diagnosis, he was rushed into the hospital for back surgery as a tumor began putting immense pressure on his spinal cord. It would later be discovered during the surgery that he had several tumors in his bones; some dangerously close to his spine and organs. He has been undergoing very aggressive treatments in an attempt to shrink the tumors to make his inevitable surgeries less invasive. The four cycles of high dose chemotherapy took a toll on his body, causing fatigue, weakness and terrible nausea. Unfortunately the chemotherapy was ineffective and Bravo is now in an immunotherapy clinical trial. This trial has taken a lot out of him as well. He lost 50lbs and endures severe pain during his monthly treatments.
Gustavo and Tanya Bravo now have a beautiful baby boy whom needs his daddy. This has been such a trying time for the Bravo family. Not only does the family have to orchestrate everyday life with a baby, but also needs to plan for trips to the doctor and hospitals. Combine that with Gustavos' inability to provide an income at this time for his family and sprinkle in COVID19, this family really has been struggling. The struggle is not limited to medical bills, mortgage payments, and other bills. It manifests in everyday happiness, caring for a newborn, transportation, and overall mental health. Gustavo has not been able to spend the time every father should with his son because of extended stays in the hospital and the pain and fatigue from the cancer.
Gustavo is a caring friend and loving husband. He is constantly making others around him laugh and continues to remain positive while trying to keep his wife in good spirits. He is always putting others needs in front of his own. He uses every ounce of his strength to help his family and to see his child, even when he isn't feeling well. His wife tells me it breaks her heart to witness him in pain and to know he is in constant pain. He wants to do many more things with his son but often he can't.
The inability for him to work combined with his wife caring for him full-time and a newborn full-time, has taken a toll and has overwhelmed the family finances. This has been a particularly emotional and financial devastating time for the Bravo's.
I am asking for togetherness. I am asking for help within that togetherness for your humanity. People will question all the good things they hear about you but believe all the bad without a second thought. To be human is to be flawed, but it is within that humanity that I ask for your heart and your thoughts and prayers. Please come together with your heart, love and prayers and donate to help Gustavo, Tanya and newborn Orion Bravo. It would mean the world to them as they continue to struggle financially and emotionally toward this Holiday season.
Thanks my friends.
Devon Chisholm
Contact me
These are troubling times indeed. This year has seen the lives of many taken, much too soon in fact, and yet here I am, trying to prevent this awful year from claiming yet another life. My friend and former co-worker, Gustavo Bravo has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Neurobalstoma Cancer . This father and husband received a prognosis of one year to live.
I met Gustavo Bravo or "Bravo" as we called him in the fire department, about 7 years ago. He was in the firehouse kitchen cooking up what would be one of the most delicious meals I would ever experience. The aroma of various spices and peppers lingered in the air, chicken was being sauteed, avocados were being sliced, and the kitchen, with Bravo at the helm, was this masterful well oiled assembly line of firefighters turned line cooks. He had skill in the kitchen and his food was phenomenal. His command in the kitchen only magnified his charisma and leadership abilities. His steady sly smile and boisterous yet infectious laughter further made this short but burly man more likable.
Gustavo's wife, also a friend of mine since high school, Tanya Bravo, was seven months pregnant at the time he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblasotma Cancer. Upon diagnosis, he was rushed into the hospital for back surgery as a tumor began putting immense pressure on his spinal cord. It would later be discovered during the surgery that he had several tumors in his bones; some dangerously close to his spine and organs. He has been undergoing very aggressive treatments in an attempt to shrink the tumors to make his inevitable surgeries less invasive. The four cycles of high dose chemotherapy took a toll on his body, causing fatigue, weakness and terrible nausea. Unfortunately the chemotherapy was ineffective and Bravo is now in an immunotherapy clinical trial. This trial has taken a lot out of him as well. He lost 50lbs and endures severe pain during his monthly treatments.
Gustavo and Tanya Bravo now have a beautiful baby boy whom needs his daddy. This has been such a trying time for the Bravo family. Not only does the family have to orchestrate everyday life with a baby, but also needs to plan for trips to the doctor and hospitals. Combine that with Gustavos' inability to provide an income at this time for his family and sprinkle in COVID19, this family really has been struggling. The struggle is not limited to medical bills, mortgage payments, and other bills. It manifests in everyday happiness, caring for a newborn, transportation, and overall mental health. Gustavo has not been able to spend the time every father should with his son because of extended stays in the hospital and the pain and fatigue from the cancer.
Gustavo is a caring friend and loving husband. He is constantly making others around him laugh and continues to remain positive while trying to keep his wife in good spirits. He is always putting others needs in front of his own. He uses every ounce of his strength to help his family and to see his child, even when he isn't feeling well. His wife tells me it breaks her heart to witness him in pain and to know he is in constant pain. He wants to do many more things with his son but often he can't.
The inability for him to work combined with his wife caring for him full-time and a newborn full-time, has taken a toll and has overwhelmed the family finances. This has been a particularly emotional and financial devastating time for the Bravo's.
I am asking for togetherness. I am asking for help within that togetherness for your humanity. People will question all the good things they hear about you but believe all the bad without a second thought. To be human is to be flawed, but it is within that humanity that I ask for your heart and your thoughts and prayers. Please come together with your heart, love and prayers and donate to help Gustavo, Tanya and newborn Orion Bravo. It would mean the world to them as they continue to struggle financially and emotionally toward this Holiday season.
Thanks my friends.
Devon Chisholm
Contact me
Organizer and beneficiary
Devon Chisholm
Organizer
Scarsdale, NY
Tanya Bravo
Beneficiary