Tissue Extraction

and so the journey begins with Celltex 09/16/2025 1:00 PM. After more than 10 years of research, advocacy, and personal struggle, my journey to prove that stem cells can cure Lupus is finally beginning.

I found myself back in the office of one of the first doctors I saw at the beginning of this journey—the same doctor who introduced the Mesenchymal stem cell process to the U.S. and who has also been a patient himself.

When I first met Dr. Jones, I never imagined I’d have the chance to actually work with him. The procedure wasn’t easy, but his kindness, gentleness, and compassion made all the difference. I truly believe I’m in the right hands, and I feel incredibly hopeful about what lies ahead. Something about it just feels right.

Today my tissue will be extracted and over 900M stem cells will be harvested in approximately eight weeks — the first step in what I KNOW will be a life-changing treatment.

I often hear, “But you don’t look sick…” — so many wonder why I’m taking this step now. The truth is, this year has been one of the hardest yet. We’re running out of viable treatment options. The disease, combined with many years of harsh therapies — steroids, chemotherapy and immunosuppressants — is taking an ever-growing toll on my body.

The damage is accelerating: My hip joints are deteriorating.

My intestines are chronically inflamed, leading to a bowel obstruction, sepsis, and a hospitalization in April.

Despite new medications, the inflammation hasn’t subsided.

I frequently vomit, pass out without warning, and rarely sleep through the night.

Vasculitis causes constant bleeding in my arms.

I am deeply exhausted — and often in pain.

While our mission to fund stem cell trials for 15 Lupus warriors remains close to my heart, I now have to prioritize my own health to regain the strength to keep advocating. I will fight until my last breath for a cure — for myself and for others.