Black Rebel Motorcycle Club have launched an appeal to aid drummer Leah Shapiro, as she recovers from brain surgery.
As previously reported, Shapiro has recently undergone extensive treatment for Chiari Malformations, structural defects in part of her brain and skull. The band's Facebook is now directing fans to a GoFundMe page entitled 'Pass The Helmet For Leah'. Currently over £10,000 of the £20,000 target has been raised.
The accompanying message, posted by the band's "spiritual tech support", reads: "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."
Before her operation, Shapiro had showed considerable courage facing the challenge ahead. She explains in a facebook post: "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 & Pete as soon as I can."
Shapiro joined Black Rebel Motorcycle Club in 2008 as a replacement for founder member Nick Jago. The band revealed earlier this month that they are currently in the studio mixing the audio for a live CD and DVD of their Specter at the Feast tour.
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