Mullin Leaves Hospital After Receiving Louisiana's First Pediatric Lyfgenia Treatment

A 15-year-old from Alexandria, Louisiana, has become the first child in the state to be functionally cured of sickle cell disease through gene therapy. Phillip Mullin is also the first person in Louisiana to receive Lyfgenia, a stem cell treatment that altered his medical prognosis.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies sickle cell disease as a condition that causes abnormal red blood cells, leading to complications such as pain, infection, and stroke. Mullin’s medical history includes more than 100 hospital stays. He completed the procedure and was recognized at a ceremony held Friday morning at Manning Family Children's Hospital in New Orleans.

Shataka Figgins, Mullin’s mother, described the upcoming period as a time to release long-held anxieties. "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 said. She noted that while she will remember the difficult nights, she will focus on the young man who survived the condition.

Mullin addressed the audience at the ceremony, stating that "Sacrifices are necessary" and that enduring pain can create a heart strong enough to overcome obstacles. He dedicated part of his remarks to his sister, Paige, whom he called his superhero. Paige expressed that the moment was emotional and that she had not expected he would have this opportunity, adding, "It just feels great."

Archie Manning, the New Orleans Saints legend for whom the hospital is named, attended the event. He described Mullin as a "wonderful young man" with a remarkable mind and called the outcome a "miracle." Manning said he had never seen anything quite like Mullin describing his journey with the disease.

Mullin plans to return to school and pursue a career as a hematologist and oncologist. He aims to treat patients with blood disorders and cancer, noting that he wants to relate to sickle cell patients and understand their experiences. His immediate plans are to return home to sleep in his own bed and build Legos with his baby sister.