She was faced with a diagnosis of scleroderma, a rare autoimmune disease that hardens the skin and attacks vital organs. The diagnosis felt like “a slap in the face – to know there’s no hope or future.”
Yet Natali’s courage turned her into a pioneer: she became the first patient in Israel to undergo CAR T-cell therapy for scleroderma as part of a clinical research program at Sheba Medical Center. Her journey is one of resilience, innovation, and the power of refusing to give up.
Facing the Unthinkable: A Devastating Diagnosis
It began with stiff, swollen hands. Doctors initially suspected menopause. But Natali knew: “Inside me, I felt something was really wrong.”
The disease progressed quickly. Soon, she could barely eat or breathe. “In just six months, I went from being a healthy, athletic woman—always swimming, running, doing yoga—to someone who could barely stand without pain.”
When conventional drugs failed, she was advised to prepare for a bone marrow transplant, an aggressive procedure with high risks. “I told the professor, ‘I currently have no quality of life, and my life is already in danger.’ I was ready.”
This marked the first pivotal moment and one of many difficulties Natali faced, but she persisted in her search and refused to give up.
Discovering a New Path
While preparing for a bone marrow transplant, Natali learned of a lecture about new treatments for autoimmune diseases. Curious and searching for answers, she attended.
There, Prof. Merav Lidar described an experimental clinical research program testing CAR T-cell therapy—an approach that at the time was only used for certain cancers. It was the first time Natali heard that such treatment might be available for patients like her.
“She talked about a breakthrough that could change the disease itself, not just treat the symptoms,” Natali recalls. That moment became a turning point. “I left the lecture in tears. It scared me, but I understood this was the only solution.”
Convinced this was her chance, she wrote immediately to the team, offering herself as a volunteer. Just a week before her scheduled bone marrow transplant, she was accepted into the trial.
Natali’s Time at Sheba: A Journey of Renewal
As part of the clinical research program, Natali spent the necessary time at Sheba undergoing CAR T-cell therapy. It was a demanding process, but one she describes as transformative. “My body was changing right in front of me,” she recalls. “It felt like turning toward the light.”
What made the experience bearable, she explains, was the unique environment at Sheba. “From the first moment I walked in, I felt wrapped in silk gloves. Everyone was so professional, kind, and supportive. They always smiled, asked how I was doing, and gave me answers to everything—pain, fever, any change.” She emphasizes how every need was addressed under one roof, from lung tests to gastroscopy, even when her immune system was at its weakest. “It was at the highest level possible. Everything was connected, everything was thought through.”
Throughout this period, the warmth, compassion, and unwavering support of the doctors and nurses became her steadfast anchor. And within this environment of care, Natali rediscovered a vital tool for resilience: art. She made a personal ritual of creating one drawing each day of her stay. “Instead of thinking about the disease, I thought about what I’d paint tomorrow. That’s what kept me going.”
This return to painting, a hobby she had set aside since youth, became a significant part of her therapy. “The act of creating helped reboot not just my body, but also my soul.”
A Life Reclaimed, But a Battle Continues
Today, Natali’s life has been transformed. The disease has been halted, and she has joyfully returned to painting, a passion she had long abandoned. However, her battle is not fully over. As she confirms, “I’m being monitored constantly,” attending regular check-ups to ensure her health continues to stabilize. The physical toll of the disease is lasting; some damage to her lungs is permanent.
Nevertheless, Natali looks to the future with hope, determined to keep nurturing her body and soul: “I realized not everything my mind wants, my body can do. I had to learn to listen to my body. I slowed down the pace of life. I don’t need to press the gas pedal all the time.”
Natali’s Message of Hope to Others
Looking back, Natali wants her journey to offer strength to others facing the unknown. “Don’t rely on Google. Seek real experts like Prof. Lidar. Don’t give up. Every small step forward brings you closer. Be persistent—this is your health, your life.”
She also carries deep gratitude for those who stood by her side. “I thank Prof. Lidar for giving me the chance,” she says simply, knowing that her participation was not only life-changing for herself, but also groundbreaking for medicine.
