Metalhead 5K: Stephanie's brain surgery recovery

My friend could use your help.

Her name is Stephanie Henrie and she’s spent her life caring and supporting others, unknowingly bettering the lives of the people around her, and head-banging to music like Def Leppard and Five Finger Death Punch.

She is a daughter, a sister, a single mother to a beautiful 7-year-old girl, a Multiple Sclerosis warrior, a death-metal music fanatic and a dear friend. Right now, she is also someone who needs help from her community.

Stephanie has a brain cyst that has been growing over the last few years. It was discovered thanks to her routine MRIs for her multi sclerosis. After monitoring it for a few years, it’s recently been growing at a faster rate, impairing her motor functions and everyday health. Towards the end of this month, Stephanie will be undergoing brain surgery to have the cyst drained and a portion of her skull will be replaced by a metal plate. She’ll now be able to say she is ‘literally a metal head’!

This GoFundMe is being organized on her behalf by her friends and work-community at Metrie, Inc. in Ferndale. We are hosting a 5k walk at Hovander Homestead Park in Ferndale and are opening up donations on her behalf as Stephanie’s work community rallies behind her to support her during this time.

Brain surgery and its recovery by no means is an easy feat, and the costs associated with such medical treatment will be costing Stephanie thousands of dollars. Since the cyst is located in the area of her brain affecting motor skills, she is expecting at least 3-5 months of rehab as she re-learns how to do everyday movements. During this time, she will likely be housed in rehab facilities in Seattle, away from her family and daughter. Funds will go to her medical and travel expenses as well as support her financially from being out of work.

Stephanie is the embodiment of kindness. She provides a warm hello to all who meet her, she genuinely cares about every person around her, and she is the first person to lend a helping hand or listening ear. Please consider donating in support of Stephanie!

If you would like to support her in other ways, please like/share this GoFundMe, or stop by Papa Murphy’s in Ferndale (LaBounty Dr.) on Aug. 12th & Aug. 13th. They’ll be donating a portion of their sales to Stephanie. Use the code: CARE at checkout!