When They Were Told His Leukemia Had Spread, They Planned a Wedding to Celebrate His Life – PART 2

What Next is honored to share this story from our companion website Patient Worthy. This article is a continuation of a previous story, and is an excerpt from original author Isabella Cristobal’s post. To read the first part of the article, please click here.

Sergio passed on January 11, 2022, after a courageous battle with cancer. In the six months we were given after his diagnosis, we packed a lifetime of adventures into every moment. I remember asking him one day, “Anything else you want to do?” And with peace in his voice, Sergio simply said, “Nah.” Tragically, our final chapter came when he developed a severe pulmonary infection. He held on for several days, surrounded by love, until he took his last breath in my arms, with friends and family nearby.

Before he passed, Sergio asked me to share this message:

“Even if this illness takes me, just know that I’m okay—and I’ll be fine. I can do this, and I’ll always be here, no matter what.”

Kindness was always at the heart of who Sergio was. In 2017, while attending La Paloma High School in Brentwood CA, he wrote an essay titled “The Types of Kindness.” In it, Sergio reflected: “It reminds me that I made a lot of people happy… and that doing so made me happy, and I want to continue to help people.” That simple yet powerful belief guided how he lived his life—and how he faced death. Even in the hardest moments, he chose compassion, connection, and joy.

Since his passing, I’ve begun a new chapter of my own. I’m now in nursing school at the University of San Francisco, one of the most competitive BSN programs in the country. In fact, it was my journey with Sergio—our love, our challenges, and the lessons I learned through his care—that formed the foundation of my application and helped me get accepted. Our story became a testament to compassion, resilience, and purpose—all values that are at the heart of nursing. I’ve continued sharing my stories through instagram via the blog @lovethrucancer.

Inspired by Sergio’s strength, I’ve become deeply involved in advocacy work—particularly for bereaved families and children battling cancer. I work closely with One At A Time (@campaignoaat), a nonprofit dedicated to supporting pediatric cancer patients and their families.

In Fall 2022, I attended the RiSE Festival in Las Vegas, where thousands gather in the Mojave Desert to release sky lanterns in memory of loved ones. I joined other grieving families, many of whom had lost children to cancer, to honor those we’ve lost and continue our advocacy. Sergio’s legacy lives on in these efforts, continuing to inspire those still in the fight.

In 2024, we said goodbye to another fighter—Karim Pena, a close friend of Sergio’s who battled MELAS, a rare and devastating genetic disorder. Karim looked up to Sergio throughout his illness, and his story is a powerful reminder of the strength and solidarity within this community.

Today, I volunteer at George Mark Children’s House in San Leandro, offering support to families caring for children with life-limiting illnesses. It’s a place where I can give back the same kind of love and empathy Sergio carried so effortlessly—and where I can help others feel less alone.

Sergio may be gone, but the impact of his life continues to shine—through advocacy, healing, and the quiet moments of kindness shared in his memory.

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Last modified: May 14, 2025