Louisiana teenager becomes first in state cured of sickle cell disease

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 02:02 · Archive

Phillip Mullin, 15, from Alexandria, is the first child in Louisiana functionally cured of sickle cell disease through gene therapy using Lyfgenia.

Phillip Mullin, 15, from Alexandria, Louisiana, has become the first child in the state functionally cured of sickle cell disease through gene therapy. He is also the first person to use Lyfgenia, the stem cell treatment that enabled his cure. Throughout his life, Mullin has spent more than 100 days in hospital. Sickle cell disease causes abnormal red blood cells that can lead to pain, infection and stroke.

At a ceremony celebrating his treatment at Manning Family Children's Hospital on Friday morning, Mullin spoke to those gathered. 'Sacrifices are necessary,' he said. 'You can't gain anything without first giving something in return, although if you can endure that pain and walk away from it, you find that you now have a heart strong enough to overcome any obstacle.' He described his sister Paige as his superhero, saying that no matter how far he walked, 'Paige is always there, always waiting'.

Mullin's mother, Shataka Figgins, said she was now unpacking more than his hospital bag. 'I will remember every sleepless night and every moment I wondered how much more his body could take, but I will also see the young man who made it through,' she said. His sister Paige described the moment as emotional. 'I never thought that he would have this opportunity,' she said.

How it is being reported

• Alexandria teen becomes first child in state functionally cured of sickle cell diseaseFor the first time in Louisiana, gene therapy has functionally cured a child with sickle-cell disease.WAFB · 24 Oct, 01:24
• Alexandria teen becomes first child in state functionally cured of sickle cell diseaseFor the first time in Louisiana, gene therapy has functionally cured a child with sickle-cell disease.KNOE · 24 Oct, 01:24

In this story: Phillip Mullin · Shataka Figgins · Paige Mullin · Louisiana · Alexandria · Manning Family Children's Hospital

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