GOFUNDME CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TO HELP FAMILY

Adam Brozovic is far too familiar with the effects cancer can have on a family.

"My mother went through cancer, so I can appreciate how difficult that can be," he said. "There are a lot of extra stresses on the family."

So when he saw his friend and co-worker Eddie Estanqueiro trying to balance work with being a father to two children while providing care, love and support to his wife Kelly while she had cancer, he knew he had to do something.

It had been two years since a tumour was discovered in Kelly's brain. She went through a surgery that required 42 staples in her head, as well as a round of chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

The surgery and treatments proved successful, shrinking the tumour. But at a followup appointment last August, another tumour was found, even more aggressive than the first.

After a period in hospice care, Kelly died last month at the age of 44.

"Kelly was always so positive," said Estanqueiro, who moved to Milton with his wife in 2002. "She never cried. She was such an amazing person. Everybody who knew her knew what a sweet soul she was."

Brozovic has worked with Estanqueiro at the Toyota plant in Cambridge for 20 years. While caring for his family, Estanqueiro exhausted all of vacation time and any leave that was available, eventually having to take unpaid leave.

"It's heartbreaking," Brozovic said. "He's missed a lot of time. He's been off work unpaid and might be for a while. They're now a single-income family. He's trying to help his kids through this transition. You're going through all this and

"We're just trying to figure out this new life." - Eddie Estanqueiro

you're trying to pay bills. It's like getting kicked when you're down."

Brozovic hoped to help the family by starting a GoFundMe campaign.

Estanqueiro remains off work while helping his children, Markus, 13, and Karina, 10, adjust through a difficult period.

"We're just trying to figure out this new life. The kids need their mom. I need her," he said. "Our son is graduating elementary school this year, and it is heartbreaking for her to not be there."

Estanqueiro has been overwhelmed by the initial response to the campaign.

"It's been absolutely amazing," he said. "I never expected anything like this. It's nice to know the community and friends are willing to help our family."