Patient May Become First Person in Louisiana to Be Cured of Sickle Cell Disease

Nationwide — Daniel Cressy, a 22-year-old African American man from New Orleans, Louisiana, is hoping to make history as the first person in the state to be cured of sickle cell disease using a groundbreaking new gene therapy.

Daniel, who dreams of one day becoming a pilot, has been told he can only obtain a pilot’s license if he is fully cured of the disease. On Wednesday, he began the first step toward that goal at Manning Family Children’s Hospital, where he underwent the first of two six-hour sessions to collect his stem cells.

According to WWLTV, those cells will be sent overseas for genetic editing, designed to correct the defect that causes his body to produce misshapen, sickle-shaped red blood cells. The edited cells will then be reintroduced into his body, with the goal of allowing him to produce healthy, normally shaped red blood cells.

“Honestly, it’s a relief,” said Daniel. “It’s been a long time coming, and this is such a big step. We’re just hoping they collect enough cells so the process can move forward quickly.”

Until now, the only long-term treatment for sickle cell disease has been a bone marrow transplant, which requires a close genetic match—something not all patients have. This new therapy offers an alternative for many who have had few options

Manning Family Children’s is currently the only hospital in the entire state of Louisiana offering both bone marrow transplants and gene therapy treatments for children and young adults in their late teens and early 20s.

Related Posts

Single Mom of Four Buys Used Car, Owner Tells Her to Look In Trunk When She Gets Home — Story of the Day

A single mother of four young children decided to buy a used car to get to work. The car’s old owner asked her to open the trunk…

If You Think That 120/80 Is A Normal Blood Pressure, You Are Completely Wrong!

If You Think That 120/80 Is A Normal Blood Pressure, You Are Completely Wrong! 120/80 Ꭵs what everyone knows as the usual normal blood pressure, but lately,…

All Walmart Shoppers Should Read This Before They Go Shopping- Walmart Has Announced That They Are

Walmart Has Announced That They Are Replacing Self-Checkout Machines With Something Better Have you ever gone shopping and get in line to check out—only to find a…

The search for 18-year-old twins Carolina and Luiza is over, they were dea… See more

After days of uncertainty and growing concern, authorities have confirmed the tragic end of the search for 18-year-old twins Carolina and Luiza. The young sisters, who had…

Authorities Investigate After Woman Found Lifeless in Motel

What began as a quiet evening at a small roadside motel ended in sorrow when a woman was found unresponsive in her room after missing her scheduled…

Decades Of Fame, Temptation And Secrets Couldn’t Break These Country Couples

Country music has always had a special way of celebrating love — through heartfelt lyrics, emotional ballads, and real-life stories that mirror the songs themselves. Behind the…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *