Andrei's Journey Home (Andrei Popescu)

One of the greatest strengths of our community is its ability to come together in the face of adversity.

In 2023, when Andrei was diagnosed with Stage 4 rhabdomyosarcoma, our community helped to fund part of the treatment he required that took place in Germany. Altogether,

donations totaled over $76,000.

That costly treatment afforded him time…time with which he was able to enjoy being 17, time to spend with his family and time to cement bonds of friendship with his classmates at GL.

Andrei’s cancer was relentless and unforgiving; his family and friends are heartbroken and grieving his passing at just 18 years old. One of the last desires that remains to be filled is to have Andrei interred in Romania alongside family members.

Many people have reached out to ask what they can do to help the Popescu family as they begin the impossible task of trying to navigate their life without their child. In an attempt to assist with the exponential cost of getting Andrei to his final resting place in Romania, we are reopening the Go Fund Me.

Each and every donation received is being accepted with humble gratitude and appreciative hearts by the family and friends that Andrei has left behind. If anyone would like to donate to this appeal, please do so here.

Another way to honor Andrei:

Andrei’s family, in pain and shattered by his loss, plans a project in Andrei’s name to give back to the community that nurtured and raised him, on matters that he cared about most. Knowing his passion and love for beauty and nature, Petre and Alexandra decided to create “Andrei’s Garden“ Foundation. The first garden, “Mother Mary’s Garden”, will start in Long Valley, by the Romanian wooden church, followed by another in Andrei’s hometown, Berkeley Heights. Out of loyalty and love for Earth, the gardens will feature plants, flowers and many trees, an oasis of tranquility, peace and natural beauty, and a reflection of Andrei’s pure, caring and beautiful soul. He would love to see the flowers alive and thriving in their own habitat, seeds of righteousness that heal the Earth and harvest crops of love in his name!

If you wish to contribute to Andrei’s Garden, please contact B&C Hillsborough Florist at [phone redacted]. Alina, the owner, will receive your donations and carry on the projects.

Prior communications:

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers, and mother figures!!

We thank you all along with the equally important fathers, colleagues, friends and strangers for being here for us during this incredibly tough time and continue to touch our lives in a profoundly positive way!

We don’t know how to put into words what we felt for the last 5 weeks but we know this : we are surrounded by beautiful new and old friends !! Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for your love, prayers and generosity.

Love

Alexandra and Petre Popescu

One of Governor Livingston's junior students is fighting a battle no parent wants to ever see their child face. Andrei was diagnosed recently with rhabdomyosarcoma. Andrei's mom is a local dentist whom many might know: Dr. Alexandra Popescu. Andrei’s dad, Petre, is a firefighter in Elizabeth and also a volunteer firefighter in both Berkeley Heights and New Providence.

Those who already know about Andrei have been asking how they can help beyond prayers. We are hoping to raise money to help them give Andrei the very best chance to defeat this cancer. Andrei’s parents are looking for any treatment in this world that can help their child. Beyond his treatments so far at Sloan Kettering, the family is exploring treatments available in Germany. If you are able to help, please join us in supporting this effort to help the family. And keep those prayers coming...

Andrei is a GL wrestler so he has the strength to win this war battle by battle. He has an amazing attitude, is remaining positive and we are all 100% hopeful that he will be victorious in this war.