Louisiana man becomes first in state functionally cured of sickle cell disease
A young south-eastern Louisiana man recently became the first person in his region to be functionally cured of sickle cell disease, clearing the way for him to continue pursuing his dream of a career as a commercial pilot, according to his medical team.
Daniel Cressy’s successful completion of curative gene therapy at Manning Family Children’s hospital in New Orleans on Monday generated a measure of optimism within his state, which produces more cases of sickle cell disease per capita than any other in the US, according to the medical center.
A statement attributed to Cressy, 23, said his story embodied “overcoming what seemed impossible” – and hoped it would be “inspirational for a lot of people”.
The resident of Metairie, Louisiana, grew up with ambitions of piloting commercial airline jets, but he eventually learned the Federal Aviation Administration would not consider licensing him because he had been diagnosed with sickle cell disease since his infancy.
Predominantly affecting African American people, the genetic blood disorder can cause chronic pain, frequent hospitalizations and shorten life spans.
Those who inherit the disease can be at risk for life-threatening complications amid the altitudes at which pilots fly. But, thanks to advancement allowing genetically modified stem cells to be altered, people with sickle cell disease can be treated before it begins destroying their organs.
And, when Cressy said he learned from the FAA that he could pursue becoming a pilot if he could cure his sickle cell disease, he assessed his options.
He said he settled on gene editing therapy, for which Manning Family Children’s Hospital had received approval. Undergoing the process took two years – and in late 2025, it required collecting cells from Cressy’s body and sending them to Scotland to be genetically modified, the hospital said in a news release.
The hospital said it got the cells back in March. Cressy was then admitted to the hospital’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, which treated him with chemotherapy to eliminate his sickle cells. It subsequently infused his genetically modified cells into his body.
Cressy spent a month in inpatient recovery and being monitored at the hospital. Then, on Monday, he rang a ceremonial bell at the hospital and was declared the first from the US’s Gulf coast region to undergo gene editing therapy utilizing Casgevy’s CRISPR/Cas9 technology and be functionally cured of sickle cell disease.
The ceremonial bell ringing saw Cressy gather with family, friends, his medical team, New Orleans mayor Helena Moreno, local US House member Troy Carter and Louisiana governor Jeff Landry.
A statement attributed to the hospital’s chief executive officer, Lucio Fragoso, said Cressy’s cure provided a substantial reason to “hope” for their community.
“Curative gene therapy is restoring futures, and Daniel has paved the way for what is possible together with his care team,” Fragoso’s statement also said. “This is a proud and transformational moment for all of us.”
Cressy throughout his disease cure journey had spoken publicly about his plans to keep working toward becoming a commercial aviator even before his bell ringing ceremony. He also discussed writing a book named Blessing in the Skies and developing his nonprofit charity, the Privileged Pilots Project, which is dedicated to expanding access to care, aviation and general opportunity for those faced with medical, economic and social challenges.
He called the path leading up to Monday his “greatest blessing” and what comes next as “life two”.
“While many spend their lives searching for purpose, mine found me,” Cressy said. “Now, instead of looking for meaning, I can spend my life fulfilling it.”
