Home / Health / Louisiana Man Achieves Functional Cure for Sickle Cell
Louisiana Man Achieves Functional Cure for Sickle Cell
28 Jun
Summary
- Daniel Cressy is the first in Louisiana to be functionally cured of sickle cell.
- Gene therapy using Casgevy provided a second chance at life.
- Cressy now pursues his dream of becoming a pilot.
A 23-year-old Louisiana man, Daniel Cressy, has achieved a functional cure for sickle cell disease, marking a significant medical milestone as the first in the state. Cressy, who was diagnosed as an infant, endured numerous hospitalizations annually due to severe pain and complications from the inherited blood disorder.
His journey took a turn with the approval of Casgevy, a gene therapy treatment. Securing access to this new and costly therapy involved months of navigating insurance approvals. Cressy, who also aspires to be a pilot, now reports feeling physically fit and internally well following the treatment.
Cressy has since established the Privileged Pilots Project, a nonprofit aimed at assisting aspiring pilots facing health challenges. His organization also works to broaden access to Casgevy, seeking to make the life-changing treatment available to a wider population beyond the affluent.
