Louisiana teen leaves hospital after first state gene therapy cure

Phillip Mullin, a 15-year-old resident of Alexandria, Louisiana, exited Manning Family Children's Hospital in New Orleans on Friday. He is the first child in the state to be functionally cured of sickle cell disease through gene therapy. The procedure utilized Lyfgenia, a stem cell treatment. Mullin is also the first person in Louisiana to undergo this specific medical protocol.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes sickle cell disease as a condition that produces abnormal red blood cells. These cells can trigger pain, infection, and stroke. Mullin had been hospitalized more than 100 times during his life prior to the treatment.

A ceremony marked the conclusion of Mullin's care on Friday morning. His mother, Shataka Figgins, spoke to reporters after the event. She said she will now unpack more than just his hospital bag. Figgins stated, "I think I'll be unpacking every fear, every negative emotion that I had, every time I thought my baby wasn't going to be here with me." She recalled sleepless nights and moments of uncertainty about her son's physical endurance. She added that she will focus on seeing "the young man who made it through."

Mullin addressed the audience at the ceremony. He said, "Sacrifices are necessary." He noted that one cannot gain anything without giving something in return. Mullin explained that enduring pain allows a person to find a heart strong enough to overcome obstacles. He dedicated part of his speech to his sister, Paige, whom he called his superhero. He said, "it doesn't matter how far I walk, Paige is always there, always waiting."

Paige described the moment as emotional. She said she had never expected her brother to have this opportunity. "It just feels great," she said. Archie Manning, a New Orleans Saints legend and namesake of the hospital, attended the event. He said he had never seen anything quite like Mullin describing his journey. Manning called Mullin a "wonderful young man" with a remarkable mind. He described the outcome as "a miracle."

Mullin plans to return to school. He intends to study medicine and become a hematologist/oncologist. He said he wants to be a doctor who can relate to sickle cell patients. "I want to be a doctor that can relate to somebody. relate to a sickle cell patient and actually know what they're going through," he said. He hopes that as many people with the disease as possible will access stem cell gene therapy.

For now, Mullin's immediate plans are simple. He said he looks forward to going home to sleep in his own bed. He also plans to build more Legos with his baby sister.