Douglas Blasdell, Trainer from Bravo's Workout, Will Always Be Remembered

As I sat and watched "Work Out" this week, my heart sank as Douglas Blasdell's name flashed across the screen that he had died. Tears came to my eyes as my heart broke for this man. He was always the one who was so kind and compassionate to everyone who met him.

Born December 14, 1962 to Skip and Dianna Blasdell, he was a much sought after trainer at Sky Spa & Sport in Los Angeles, California. He graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in business in 1988.

On an episode of this season's "Workout", Doug talked about how most of his family didn't live pas the age of 43 years old. He was excited, because he was getting ready to celebrate his 44th birthday and had a huge bash at his home. Eerily, he told friends that it would be the last birthday that he celebrates.

Little did he know, shortly after that birthday, he would be rushed to the hospital and placed in an induced coma. Most of his co-workers had no clue where he was. Just days before, he was very sick and coughing like crazy on screen. I knew at that moment that something very serious was going to happen to Doug, but dying, although it crossed my mind since he had talked about his family history, I didn't think it would happen. It had appeared that he was getting well, but then he took a turn for the worst.

On January 22, 2007, Doug slipped away from this world and died. Our sympathy and prayers go out to all of his family and friends during this difficult time. Although it was months ago that he has died, I know that the pain is certainly not gone.

A non-profit organization called Los Angeles City College Foundation(LACC) has set up the Douglas Blasdell Outreach Program. All donations to this outreach program will go to student scholarships, AIDS programs, and gay & lesbian programs.

If you'd like to donate toward this fund, please visit www.douglasblasdell.org and click the "Donate Now" link.

Gone, but not forgotten, Douglas Blasdell's memory now lives on through the lives that will be touched through his outreach program.