Fundraiser set to help 9-year-old travel for medical care

“Neiko’s Journey,” a medical benefit for 9-year-old Neiko Henson of Havre, is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 12, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Old Station Brewing Co.

“It is to cover the cost of traveling for Niko’s family to receive the medical attention he needs,” fundraiser organizer Darla Welch said.

Neiko is a 9-year-old boy who has cerebral palsy and epilepsy.

When he was 5 months old, it was discovered he had meningitis that had traveled up his spine to his brain. This caused his brain to bleed out, which led to brain damage on the left side of his brain, giving him a stroke. The stroke then caused right-side weakness of the brain and he later was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

By the age of 3, Neiko was able to walk with intensive therapy, but in 2015, had four seizures which has led him back to having to be treated out of state.

Welch forwarded to the Havre Daily News a message sent to her by Neiko’s mother, Courtney Henson.

“My little guy leaves Sunday, Nov. 17, and has appointments planned from Monday, Nov. 18, all the way to Thanksgiving,” she told Welch. “We won’t even get to spend Thanksgiving with our family. He will be doing two MRIs, PET scan and a seven-day EEG to collect information for brain surgery. One of his MRIs is three to five hours long and he has to be sedated.” 

Henson said the family appreciates all the help and concern they have received.

“We so appreciate Havre and the people,” she said. “Thanks so much.”

“I would love for people to just come out and show support for this little guy, as he has a rough road ahead of him,” Welch said.

The fundraiser is open to the community with entertainment, a silent auction and a raffle.

Havre band Sax Cadillac & the Other Brothers and Sistas Band will be providing entertainment.

  Organizers still are looking for donations for raffles. People can drop donations off at Old Station Brewing today through Saturday from 4 to 9 p.m. Welch said.

She added that a dollar from each pint sold the night of the fundraiser at Old Station Brewing Co. will also go toward the medical costs.

People can follow Neiko’s Journey on his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Neikos-Journey-116064006472845/ .