Louisiana Man Could Become First in State to Be Cured of Sickle Cell Disease

Daniel Cressy, 22, hopes a groundbreaking treatment will cure his sickle cell disease, potentially making him the first person in Louisiana to do so. If successful, it could also revive his dream of becoming a pilot.

Cressy recently underwent the first of two six-hour stem cell collection procedures at Manning Family Children’s Hospital. The cells will be sent to a lab in Scotland, where an enzyme will target and edit a specific gene to prevent the sickling of red blood cells. Once modified, the cells will be returned and reintroduced into his body to produce properly shaped red blood cells.

Over the next year and a half, the treatment aims to eliminate the genetic trigger causing his red blood cells to harden and block blood flow, which leads to severe pain. Clinical trials of this therapy, called Casgevy, show more than 90% of patients remained free from sickled cells for at least a year.

“Honestly, it’s a relief because it feels like it’s been a long time coming… hoping that we can collect enough cells so this can go as quickly as possible,” Cressy told WWLTV.

The process is lengthy and costly. Cressy waited nearly a year for insurance approvals, paperwork, and preliminary appointments before entering the procedure room. The drug alone costs $2–3 million, with additional expenses for the harvest, reinfusion, and ongoing care reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Cressy discovered his love for flying three years ago and began working toward certification. But the Federal Aviation Administration denied his medical certification in 2022, citing risks of cell sickling at high altitudes. Despite multiple appeals and his belief that his condition was manageable, the decision stood.

Initially, his hematologist, Dr. Zach LeBlanc, didn’t see aviation as a medical priority. Over time, however, Cressy’s determination and the FAA’s rejection convinced LeBlanc to support his treatment request.

“He was really serious about this, and he understood the risk,” said LeBlanc, who helped develop another long-term sickle cell cure in clinical trials.

Understanding Sickle Cell Disease

The condition, caused by inheriting two sickle cell genes, is more common among Black individuals. It originated as a genetic defense against malaria—those with one gene are highly resistant to the disease, but those with two suffer its painful effects.

Bone marrow transplants have been the most common long-term treatment, but finding a compatible donor is challenging. Cressy had few options until the FDA approved two gene therapies in 2023. Children’s Hospital in Louisiana is the first in the state authorized to offer them. The Louisiana Department of Health estimates at least 3,000 residents have sickle cell anemia.

Cressy hopes to join a small but growing number of pilots with the condition. Inspired by a friend he met on Reddit—who faced similar challenges, underwent gene therapy, and earned a pilot’s license—he plans to advocate for more patients to access advanced treatments.

“Becoming aviators with sickle cell was once something that people thought was impossible,” Cressy said from his hospital bed, wearing a Mr. Impossible t-shirt he designed. “My buddy has already proved to the world that it’s not. Nothing is impossible.”