Luka Doncic raises over $2m for toddler with rare muscle condition, shares adorable video

Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic met a special fan before Sunday night’s (Monday morning IST) Dallas Mavericks vs Los Angeles Lakers game at Staples Center. fan was 22-month-old Slovenian Kris Zudich, who has a rare genetic muscle disease called Spinal muscular atrophy type I (also called Werdnig-Hoffmann disease). Doncic had helped raise money for 22-year-old. Kris and his parents, Anna and Mateo, are currently at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles to undergo treatment. Slovenian citizens and celebrities raised money for 22-month-old boy.

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NBA 2019-20: Mavericks' Luka Doncic shares heartwarming moment with fan with a rare muscle condition

In an interview with a sports channel, Doncic’s mor Mirjam Poterbin revealed that Doncic wanted to meet boy and is sensitive for kids. However, Kris could t wait and watch upcoming game due to his weak immune system. His mor waited with Kris and his parents at Mavericks’ bench till Doncic came out to meet Kris and for warmups.

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family is from Koper, a port city in Slovenia, which has a 25,000 population. After Kris’ diagsis, he needed Zolgensma gene rapy, which is world’s most expensive drug. It cost $2.125 million in 2018. Kris’ parents started a crowdfunding campaign. After Doncic, prominent Slovenian musicians and Slovenian national volleyball team helped campaign via social media, expenses for drug, treatment and three-month stay in Los Angeles were covered.

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Kris underwent gene rapy last week. family will have to wait in Los Angeles for three months as doctors need to monitor Kris and his progress. In an interview, Poterbin said that Doncic being a good human being is more important to her than him being a basketball player. She added that Doncic plays only for game, and is handling it well despite all pressure. Doncic is currently averaging at 30.8 points, 9.9 rebounds and 9.6 assists per game in NBA 2019-20. 

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