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, 23, successfully completed curative gene therapy at Manning Family Children’s Hospital in New Orleans on Monday, generating 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.
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 infancy.
The Journey to a Cure
Predominantly affecting African American people, the genetic blood disorder can cause chronic pain, frequent hospitalizations, and shortened 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 advancements allowing genetically modified stem cells to be altered, people with sickle cell disease can be treated before it begins destroying their organs.
Cressy said he settled on gene editing therapy, for which Manning Family Children’s Hospital had received approval. Undergoing the process took two years. In late 2025, it required collecting cells from Cressy’s body and sending them to Scotland to be genetically modified. The hospital 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.
A New Beginning
Cressy’s statement said his story embodied “overcoming what seemed impossible” and hoped it would be “inspirational for a lot of people.”
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. This is a proud and transformational moment for all of us.”
Looking Ahead
Cressy has 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, dedicated to expanding access to care, aviation, and 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.”
The Bottom Line
Daniel Cressy, 23, of Metairie, Louisiana, has become the first person in the Gulf Coast region to be functionally cured of sickle cell disease using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing therapy at Manning Family Children’s Hospital in New Orleans. The treatment clears the way for him to pursue his dream of becoming a commercial pilot. Louisiana has more sickle cell cases per capita than any other US state.
