Louisiana Man Becomes First in State to Receive Sickle Cell Gene Therapy

In a historic medical milestone, a 23-year-old New Orleans man has successfully become the first person in Louisiana to receive an FDA-approved gene therapy for sickle cell disease. Daniel Cressy, who was diagnosed with the genetic blood disorder at birth, officially “rang the bell” at Manning Family Children’s Hospital after completing the intense, multi-stage treatment process. For Cressy, the motivation was deeply personal: his lifelong dream was to become a commercial airline pilot, a career path blocked by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) due to the severe medical safety risks associated with sickle cell disease. ValidViewNetwork reports that when Cressy appealed directly to the FAA in 2023, the agency stated he could only qualify for medical clearance if he managed to cure the disease through a bone marrow transplant or advanced gene therapy. Driven by this directive, Cressy began tracking emerging CRISPR gene-editing trials and initiated consultations as soon as Manning Family Children’s Hospital received approval to offer the cutting-edge, FDA-approved gene-altering technologies.

​The advanced therapy utilizes CRISPR technology to edit the patient’s own stem cells by targeting a specific genetic “control switch” that normally deactivates fetal hemoglobin production after infancy. By snipping this segment of DNA, the modified cells are prompted to produce healthy red blood cells that do not warp into the crescent shape responsible for blocking blood flow and causing agonizing pain crises. ValidViewNetwork reports that the comprehensive journey took roughly two years from Cressy’s initial FAA appeal to his final cell infusion. The complex protocol required harvesting his stem cells, shipping them to a specialized laboratory in Scotland for precise genetic editing, undergoing intense chemotherapy to clear his existing bone marrow, and finally reinfusing the modified cells. Following the infusion, patients must spend approximately one month in strict isolation to recover while their immune system rebuilds.

​Medical leadership at the institution celebrated the success of the program, which was developed in close partnership with LSU Health New Orleans and the Tulane University School of Medicine. “His cells, once they’re changed, effectively become the drug,” explained Dr. Zachary LeBlanc, a pediatric hematologist at Manning, noting that Cressy’s body is now generating what amounts to “a cure.” Dr. Ben Watkins, director of Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapies at Manning, oversaw the program’s development, while Lucio A. Fragoso, President and CEO of Manning Family Children’s, expressed immense pride in the milestone. “Thanks to groundbreaking research… we now have hope,” Fragoso stated, adding that “Curative gene therapy is restoring futures, and Daniel has paved the way.” ValidViewNetwork reports.

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​Cressy expressed immense excitement about his progress and is already looking forward to stepping back into the cockpit to resume his formal flight training. While he noted, “I really just wanted to be cured so I could fly,” he has embraced his pioneering role to advocate for other families, launching a brand called “Privileged Pilots” and speaking at aviation and medical events. To visually represent his journey, he frequently wears apparel featuring the word “IMPOSSIBLE” with the “IM” highlighted in a separate color, demonstrating to the community that “what was once impossible is possible.” Hospital officials confirm that Manning is currently among a select few programs nationwide equipped to offer both of the newly FDA-approved gene therapies for sickle cell disease, with a 10-year-old patient from Shreveport already approved as the next candidate for the procedure. Doctors report that Cressy’s blood is already successfully producing new hemoglobin and showing “great promise,” with definitive, long-term results expected to solidify in about a month, ValidViewNetwork reports. This unprecedented intersection of aviation ambition and molecular medicine marks a transformative chapter for thousands of individuals living with sickle cell disease across the Gulf South, offering a definitive blueprint for how modern genetic therapies can dismantle lifelong physical barriers and quite literally allow patients to reach new heights.