Louisiana man becomes first in region functionally cured of sickle cell disease

‘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.’ Photograph: Manning Family Children's Hospital

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.