Seeking support from their devoted fans, the rockers of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club have hit GoFundMe to help raise funds to cover the brain surgery that their drummer, Leah Shapiro, needs.
According to Contact Music, the San Francisco-based group canceled a string of gigs earlier this month to allow Shapiro to undergo the operation after she was diagnosed with Chiari malformations, a condition which can put pressure on the brain and cause symptoms including headaches and depression. Shapiro is now recovering from the successful surgery, and last Thursday (October 23rd), the bandmates, Peter Hayes and Robert Levon Been, decided to launch a crowdfunding campaign called “Pass the Helmet for Leah” to contribute to her expensive medical fees.
The campaign reads, “As some of you may know, Leah has a serious medical condition requiring brain surgery and months of recovery. Many of you have asked what you can do to help support her and help her get through this, and i think we should all put a dollar in the motorcycle helmet and pass it around. Motorcycle club members always help out fellow members and especially the President of the club, good heavens! All donations will go towards Leah’s surgery and recovery.”
Gigwise also revealed that Shapiro has shown considerable courage facing the challenge ahead. On Facebook, she wrote,”As you can imagine, I’m hardly looking forward to having my skull cracked open and my brain operated on, but it’s the only thing that’s going to help me get better. And while the thought of not being able to play drums for several months while I recover from the surgery totally sucks, I’m determined to make a full recovery and get back to playing music with Rob and Pete as soon as I can.”
Since its debut, the band’s crowdfunding campaign has already raised $17,245 from 372 backers.
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