Louisiana man declared functionally cured of sickle cell disease after gene therapy
A 23-year-old Louisiana resident, Daniel Cressy, has become the first person in the United States Gulf Coast region to be functionally cured of sickle cell disease through an advanced gene-editing therapy, marking a significant milestone in the treatment of the inherited blood disorder.
Medical experts at Manning Family Children’s Hospital in New Orleans announced that Cressy successfully completed the groundbreaking treatment after undergoing a two-year medical process involving genetically modified stem cells. His recovery now allows him to pursue his long-held ambition of becoming a commercial airline pilot.
Diagnosed with sickle cell disease as an infant, Cressy had been unable to qualify for a pilot’s licence because the condition posed serious health risks at high altitudes. After learning that a cure could remove that barrier, he chose to undergo CRISPR-based gene-editing therapy using Casgevy technology.
The treatment involved harvesting his stem cells in late 2025 and sending them to Scotland, where they were genetically modified before being returned to the United States. Doctors then administered chemotherapy to eliminate his diseased cells before infusing the modified cells back into his body.
Following a month of hospital recovery and close medical monitoring, Cressy was declared functionally cured during a ceremonial bell-ringing event attended by his family, medical team and public officials, including New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno and Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry.
Hospital Chief Executive Officer Lucio Fragoso described the achievement as a transformative moment for both patients and healthcare providers, saying the successful treatment demonstrates the life-changing potential of curative gene therapy for people living with sickle cell disease.
Dr. Ben Watkins, who leads the hospital’s stem cell transplant and cellular therapies programme, played a key role in Cressy’s treatment. Louisiana records one of the highest rates of sickle cell disease in the United States, making the breakthrough particularly significant for the region.
Reflecting on his journey, Cressy described the experience as “my greatest blessing,” saying the successful treatment marks the beginning of “life two”. Beyond pursuing his aviation career, he plans to write a book about his experience and expand his nonprofit organisation, the Privileged Pilots Project, which supports people facing medical, financial and social challenges.
