Hi my name is Lauren and I'm fundraising for my friends Kris and Gerard Benavides.

On May 13th Gerard went in for a surgery that went well, but before he fully came out of anesthesia, he suffered a stroke. He was flown to Vanderbilt and suffered another stroke en route. At the time things did not look good. This was about a week before their 24th wedding anniversary and Kris was facing the very real possibility of losing Gerard.

The thing about the Benavides's though is they are fighters. They fight for what they believe is right, the people around them and their family. Anyone who knows 'G' knows he has an easy smile for anyone. He's got a quiet calm about him that feels like there's always laughter close by.

Gerard has shown an absolutely astounding amount of strength and will to fight. He has beaten all of the odds that were against him and is now fighting through therapy to regain as much independence as possible. Their life has forever changed.

Their commitment to fight together for each other hasn't.

Gerard will not be able to go back to work. Kris will need to find a way to navigate the massive medical bills behind them and the bills in the future for his care and modifications to their house to allow him independence.

I've never known Gerard or Kris to ask for help, just give it. Now is our time to fight with and for them by helping them overcome these medical bills.

Every donation is a way for us to show them they are not alone. Please show them we are here fighting with them.