Support Phoenix's Fight Against Bone Marrow Failure

Our dear friend, Laura Kudritzki, needs our help!

On December 29, 2024, her twelve-year-old daughter, Phoenix, went to the emergency room at UCSF after unexplained bruising on her legs. Tests revealed a dangerously low platelet and red blood cell count (5,000 platelets - normal range is 150,000 to 450,000). Since then, she has received 8 transfusions. Phoenix is suffering from bone marrow failure and needs a platelet transfusion every 48 hours. UCSF is still trying to get to the cause of this, and here is what we know so far:

1. They have ruled out leukemia.

2. They are still waiting on test results to rule out lymphoma/cancer.

3. She has been diagnosed with bone marrow failure as her body is not producing red blood cell platelets, and she needs an infusion of more platelets every 48 hours.

4. Genetic testing is underway: A buccal swab test was sent to Canada to test for 500 genetic mutations to determine whether this is a rare bone marrow disease. It will take at least another 2 weeks for the results. There was another genetic test done that will take 4 to 6 weeks for the results.

5. One of the country's top hematologists at UCSF Hematology/Oncology has taken on Phoenix's case.

6. Phoenix will most likely need a bone marrow transplant, and her younger sister Nova could be a match. If Nova is not a match, we will be looking for another possible donor, so stay tuned.

7. Laura lives in Bolinas, California, and is a single mother to three kids: Stella, 24; Phoenix, 12; and Nova, who is 10. Laura is the sole supporter of Phoenix and Nova. Laura lives in Bolinas, which is remote and too far away from UCSF for her and Phoenix to stay, so she has had to find housing in San Francisco. We are still looking for options for free places to stay, as she still has to pay her living expenses in Bolinas. She currently has a place until January 30th and may also have a place to stay for a couple of weeks in February. Please let us know if you have a place in San Francisco for her to use in the future as we expect this will be needed for some time.

8. Nova, Phoenix’s younger sister, is currently staying in Bolinas with dear friends so she can attend school and have a sense of normalcy at a very challenging time. She is staying with Laura and Phoenix on the weekends and visiting during the week when she can. We may need help with Nova in the future so she can continue attending school in Bolinas.

9. Laura is a self-employed photographer and videographer and is currently unable to work full-time as she cares for Phoenix. With transfusions every 48 hours, ongoing tests, doctors’ appointments, etc., she is limited in how much she can work for the time being.

10. Not all of Phoenix’s expenses are covered by insurance. Some of the tests are very costly, and she may be faced with immunotherapy and other treatments that may not be covered.

Family, friends, and her Bolinas community have stepped up to show support physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially. There is additional support needed, and that is why we are launching this GoFundMe Campaign.

We appreciate any donations at this time to this campaign, or you can Venmo Laura directly @lkudritzki. Please also feel free to share this campaign with your community. This will be an ongoing campaign with an end date that is currently undetermined. The initial campaign is for $40,000 as we await diagnosis and begin treatment.

If you have any questions, please contact Dana Welch, Susan Zelinsky, or Chelsea Lovascio directly through this campaign.

With love, gratitude, and appreciation, Dana, Susan, and Chelsea on behalf of Laura and Phoenix