My best friend Heidi has a non-cancerous brain tumor that must be surgically removed, and she’s facing a long, uncertain recovery that has turned her life upside down.
Heidi and I have been best friends since first grade, and for over 30 years she’s been a source of strength, grit, and inspiration. She works as a stunt actor and has appeared in many popular movies and tv shows such as Hocus Pocus 2, Blindspot, and Goosebumps. Her work is very physically demanding. What began as exhaustion, depression, and physical changes led to scans that revealed a tumor that had been affecting her for years without her knowing. She is now preparing for major brain surgery followed by at least 9–12 months of recovery—possibly longer if complications arise.
During that time, Heidi won’t be able to return to her career in stunt work, which has been both her passion and her livelihood. Medical bills, rehabilitation, and basic living expenses are already piling up, and insurance won’t cover everything.
Even so, right before surgery, she competed in one final powerlifting meet—not because she’s at her peak, but because she wants to enter this fight strong and spend one more meaningful day with the lifting community that has supported her.
Heidi isn’t just fighting for herself. Out of her own experience with grief—including losing four loved ones in a single month—she’s building a platform to help others navigate death, loss, trauma, and major life transitions. Funds raised will help support Heidi during recovery as she pays bills and is temporarily out of work while also directly funding the development and legal setup of her platform, with a planned launch in Fall 2026.
Heidi has spent her life lifting others up. Now she needs support to heal and bring this vision to life.
Please donate if you’re able, share this campaign, and help Heidi get through surgery, recovery, and the rebuilding of her life—your support right now truly makes the difference.
To see some of Heidi's amazing work, please check out the links below:
Organizer and beneficiary
Heidi Schnappauf
Beneficiary