Rachelle Johnson

Please help us help this mom of two little boys!

Four years ago, Rachelle began experiencing severe fatigue, weakness, and numbness in her legs and feet. And it was growing worse.

She was diagnosed with CIDP (Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy), a lesser-known cousin of MS. (http://www.gbs-cidp.org/cidp/all-about-cidp/)

Like MS, CIDP attacks the nervous system, and without treatment, Rachelle would be wheelchair bound, and eventually her internal organs would shut down one by one. For the past three years, Rachelle has undergone monthly IVIG treatments that halt the disease for 3 weeks, but it cannot cure it. So far, these have saved Rachelle’s life, but the side effects are so severe that for up to a week after each treatment, she cannot work or care for her two sons, David (4 years old) and Daniel (1 year old). Without the new procedure, she will have to continue these monthly infusions for the remainder of her life.

But a promising clinical trial at Northwestern Medicine is proving to have life-changing results for other CIDP patients. The procedure would use Rachelle’s own stem cells to facilitate the healing of her immune system. (To learn more about this treatment, go here: http://www.stemcell-immunotherapy.org/)

Even though insurance has agreed to pay for the costly procedure, the Johnson family cannot afford the costs associated with traveling & staying in Chicago, and being out of work for the time the transplant takes.

But together, we can make this possible!

These kids have never experienced life with their mom healthy and whole. Let’s give them that chance!

Thanks so much for your support and for spreading the word for this family.