Wife of "The Biggest Loser" Alum Speaks Out about Husband Damien Gurganious' Death -"He Passed Away on My Birthday"

The Biggest Loser star, Damien Gurganious, passed away on Nov. 24, the day of his wife, Nicole Brewer- Gurganious' birthday. The now widow speaks out about the death of her husband and how living without him is unimaginable.

"He passed away on my birthday," Nicole told PEOPLE.  As Mstars News reported this week, the 38 year old died from a rare autoimmune disorder called Idiopathic Thrombocyopenic Purpura, a disorder that ended up causing inoperable bleeding in his brain.

"Damien had a way of making every day feel like your birthday," Nicole, 44, continued to say. "He loved life and treated every day as if it were a gift."

In 2009, the couple -- then fiancées -- were contestants on The Biggest Loser: Couples 2. They were ultimately sent home after the third week, however they continued to maintain their weight loss, even becoming certified group fitness instructors.

"He encouraged and motivated people no matter their size or age," Nicole revealed of her husband, who ran an aqua boot camp at 24 Hour Fitness and the YMCA. "His classes were packed with people eager to soak up all of his positive energy, contagious enthusiasm and amazing smile." 

On Nov. 20, Damien began having nosebleeds along with a swollen mouth. Nicole said that they thought he had an allergic reaction to some soup he had eaten, so they rushed to the ER, hoping that epinephrine would bring the symptoms down. "We discovered his blood platelets were alarmingly low," Nicole said. That's when he was diagnosed with the rare autoimmune disorder.

The doctors stated that treatment for the disorder could restore his low blood platelets, however, Damien died four days later, after being admitted, as the disease caused bleeding in his brain.

Damien leaves behind his 2-year-old daughter, whom Nicole talked about. She said, "Watching my husband with Giselle was the most rewarding part of out journey to parenthood and our marriage." Nicole continued, "Damien was the love of my life - I waited my entire life for him. I simply cannot imagine living without him."

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