Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a disease that causes the immune system to attack the membrane lining the joints. The disease causes intense pain, stiffness, and swelling, eventually making it impossible for sufferers to use their joints.

Cheryl Wright was diagnosed with RA at age 22, and she underwent years of intensive hand therapy and other attempts at treatment. Though she tried to continue working, her RA became more and more serious. Without treatment, she would have been rendered immobile within a year. After months of research, Cheryl found Dr. Richard Burt, Chief of the Division of Immunotherapy at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.

Cheryl flew from her home in Florida to meet Dr. Burt in Chicago, where he recommended a stem cell transplant to restore Cheryl’s immune system. Dr. Burt has performed stem cell transplants for four other RA patients, all of whom have reacted well to treatment. Cheryl is set to receive chemotherapy to suppress her current immune system before receiving her stem cell transplant. To read more about Cheryl’s story, read the full article on Ocala.com.