'Biggest Loser' Contestant Damien Gurganious Dead At 38

Former "The Biggest Loser" contestant Damien Gurganious has died at the age of 38, reports Us Weekly.

Gurganious, who appeared on Season 7 of the reality weight loss show, died on Nov. 24 of a brain bleed caused by the sudden onset of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a rare autoimmune disorder, his family told the magazine.

"He was a pillar of his family, an amazing son, brother, cousin and uncle. He was an incredible husband and father to his 2-year-old daughter, Giselle. He was an inspiration and a mentor to so many. His love for his family and friends was immense," Gurganious' family told Us Weekly in statement.

Gurganious' wife, Nicole Brewer Gurganious, who appeared with him on the reality show in 2009, paid tribute to her late husband in a touching Facebook post on Nov. 29:

Funeral services will be held Dec. 6 in Brooklyn, New York. Us Weekly reports that "The Biggest Loser" plans to air an "in memoriam" card after next week's episode, airing Dec. 11.