Louisiana teen becomes first child functionally cured of sickle cell disease

Fifteen-year-old Phillip Mullin of Alexandria, Louisiana, has become the first child in the state functionally cured of sickle cell disease, marking a historic milestone in gene therapy, multiple outlets reports.

Breakthrough Sickle Cell Treatment

Mullin received Lyfgenia, a gene therapy that uses a patient’s own stem cells to help the body produce healthy red blood cells. Doctors at Manning Family Children’s Hospital in New Orleans confirmed his functional cure after months of stem cell collection, blood exchange procedures and chemotherapy.

The therapy is one of two FDA‑approved gene treatments for sickle cell disease, alongside Casgevy. Both require high‑dose chemotherapy and reinfusion of genetically edited stem cells.

Phillip Mullin’s Sickle Cell Remission Bell-Ringing Ceremony

On Friday, October 23, 2026, Mullin celebrated his recovery during a bell‑ringing ceremony at Manning Family Children’s Hospital. The event symbolized the end of his grueling treatment and the beginning of a life free from the disease that hospitalized him more than 100 times.

During the ceremony, Mullin delivered an emotional speech, crediting his sister Paige as his “superhero” and reflecting on the strength the journey required.

Family and Community Impact

His mother, Shataka Figgins, described years of fear and sleepless nights watching her son battle severe pain, infections and repeated hospitalizations. She said bringing him home cured means finally letting go of the fear that defined his childhood.

Louisiana State Rep. Ed Larvadain III noted Mullin is also the first person in the state to receive Lyfgenia, underscoring the significance of the moment for families affected by sickle cell disease.

A New Future for Phillip Mullin

Mullin plans to become a hematologist‑oncologist, hoping to help future patients navigate the disease he once fought. He also wants more children to gain access to gene therapy, which is reshaping the outlook for sickle cell patients nationwide.

His milestone follows that of Daniel Cressy, a 23‑year‑old who became Louisiana’s first adult functionally cured earlier in the year. Together, their recoveries highlight rapid progress in gene therapy and renewed hope for families across the state.