Louisiana teen becomes first child cured of sickle cell via gene therapy

Phillip Mullin, 15, left Manning Family Children's Hospital on Friday morning, becoming the first child in Louisiana to receive a functional cure for sickle cell disease. The discharge marks the end of a medical history that included more than 100 hospital stays. For families managing the condition, the treatment offers a new pathway to reduce the chronic pain, infection, and stroke risks associated with the disorder.

Mullin is the first patient in the state to receive Lyfgenia, a stem cell therapy that modifies blood cells to prevent the formation of abnormal red blood cells. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies these abnormal cells as the primary driver of the disease's severe symptoms. The therapy requires a rigorous process, but the result for Mullin is a physiological change that aims to stop the cycle of hospitalization.

His mother, Shataka Figgins, described the emotional weight of the final years of his treatment. She said she would be unpacking "every fear, every negative emotion" she carried during the sleepless nights when she worried about his survival. She now views him as the young man who endured the process. Mullin’s sister, Paige, described the moment as emotional, noting that she had not expected her brother to have access to this specific treatment option.

Mullin addressed the hospital staff and family members during a ceremony. He spoke about the necessity of sacrifice, stating that enduring pain allows a person to develop a "heart strong enough to overcome any obstacle." He dedicated the moment to Paige, whom he called his superhero, saying she was always waiting for him no matter how far he walked. His speech moved the audience to tears.

Archie Manning, a New Orleans Saints legend and namesake of the hospital, attended the event. He characterized the outcome as a miracle and praised Mullin as a wonderful young man with a remarkable mind. Manning said he had never seen a patient describe their journey with the disease in quite that manner. The presence of such a public figure underscored the local significance of the first pediatric case.

Mullin plans to return to school and pursue a career as a hematologist/oncologist. He wants to practice as a doctor who can relate to patients with blood disorders because he has experienced the illness himself. His immediate goal, however, is to sleep in his own bed in Alexandria and build Legos with his baby sister.