Joanna Justine Cranek & Ryatt Henry Cranek

Dear friends and supporters,

On Saturday, March 30th, Joanna Cranek, at 21 weeks pregnant, received a devastating diagnosis: a rare, life-threatening, blood disorder known as TTP. In TTP, blood clots form in small blood vessels throughout your body affecting only four in a million individuals. It all began when Joanna started feeling unwell, experiencing severe headaches and confusion, leading to her urgent transfer to El Campo Memorial Hospital. Unaware of the seriousness of her condition, doctors worked quickly to determine the best course of action, eventually transporting her by ambulance to Methodist Hospital in Sugar Land, where the diagnosis of TTP was made.

Realizing the severity of Joanna's situation, she was transferred via life flight to Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Houston Medical Center, the sole facility equipped to handle such a rare and critical condition. Tragically, upon arrival, we received the heartbreaking news that baby Ryatt Henry, just 21 weeks old, had passed away. At this time, Joanna's own life was on the line, with medical professionals warning of the high risk she faced.

Through the tireless efforts of medical staff and the power of collective prayers and support, Joanna has stabilized, undergoing numerous plasma treatments to elevate her blood levels. In the early hours of Monday, April 1st, at 12:33 AM, she experienced the birth of her son Ryatt Henry Cranek. Funeral arrangements are now being made for him as well. Today, Joanna may be moving out of the ICU and into a different hospital room. However, her journey is far from over. As a dedicated 5th-grade teacher, Joanna is deeply committed to her students, even expressing concern for them during her hospital stay. Joanna will have to miss a lot of work, but at this time it is uncertain how long. She will require extensive physical and mental care, along with ongoing medical treatments and funeral expenses for Ryatt.

To alleviate the burden of mounting medical expenses for Joanna and baby Ryatt, I have initiated this GoFundMe campaign. Your generous contributions will provide much-needed support during this challenging time. Thank you all for your unwavering love and support for Joanna & Ryatt Cranek.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Erin Kutac