In the fall, Justina Rydz, a mother in Poland, learned her infant daughter, Kinga, has spinal muscular atrophy Type 1. Without intervention, babies with this genetic disease have a life expectancy of two years or less. Studies have shown a new gene therapy drug can stop the progression of the disease, but it costs a staggering $2.1 million in the United States. Agnieszka Klosinska, a second cousin of Rydz who lives in San Jose, has teamed up with Rydz to raise as much money as they can and keep Kinga in the running for the treatment. They have turned to social media, setting up crowdfunding sites including a GoFundMe page.
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