Help Mitzi Fight Stage 4 Breast Cancer

Hi, I’m April K, and I have had the privilege of being Mitzi’s best friend for nearly 20 years.

We met in high school photography class, and she’s been my soulmate in friendship ever since. We’ve grown up together, and walked side by side through some of life’s darkest moments—including our own cancer diagnoses.

Just before Mother’s Day weekend, Mitzi got the news: her breast cancer has metastasized.

It started when her doctor ordered additional tests during a rough case of pneumonia. The results revealed Stage 4 breast cancer. Mitzi has tumors in her right lung and cancer in her lymph nodes.

We’re still catching our breath from that moment.

The good news: because her cancer is triple positive, there are several treatment options available. Her oncologist is already working with her team at KU, and the hope is to shrink the tumors and keep the disease dormant for as long as possible. The first step is shutting down estrogen production (via shots, then surgery), followed by medications and eventually chemo. We’re also trying to get her seen at MD Anderson, but naturally, insurance has been a nightmare.

Mitzi is an extraordinary mother, a fiercely talented photographer, and a writer who knows how to crack open truth and beauty in the same breath. Her 4-year-old son, Dorian, is the light of her life. Her incredible partner Jordan has stepped up in every way imaginable to help carry this with her. Despite this heartbreak, Mitzi still dreaming, still creating, and still fighting to be here for as long as she possibly can.

The road ahead is expensive, exhausting, and full of unknowns.

This GoFundMe will help Mitzi and her family:

• Focus on treatment (including travel to KU and other cancer centers)

• Cover time away from work (she’s self-employed and doesn’t get paid time off)

• Pay existing and upcoming medical bills, scans, meds, copays, and deductibles

• Manage household expenses, studio costs, therapy, and childcare

• Prioritize healing through nourishing food, wellness care, and rest

• Navigate whatever unexpected needs arise

When Mitzi was first diagnosed in 2022, you all showed up in ways that moved us to tears. I’m asking you to show up again—because she’s not done fighting, living, creating, and loving. She has so many memories left to make.

Thank you for helping my best friend keep going.

– April K