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Council recognizes local patient as first in Louisiana described as functionally cured of sickle cell disease
Summary
Manning Family Children's Hospital presented Daniel Creasy and clinicians at a council session to mark the first successful gene‑therapy cure of sickle cell disease in Louisiana; hospital leaders urged expanded access and policymakers asked about insurance and referral barriers.
The New Orleans City Council on Monday honored Daniel Creasy and the clinical team at Manning Family Children's Hospital after Daniel received gene therapy that clinicians described at the meeting as a functional cure for his sickle cell disease.
Lou Fragoso, president and CEO of Manning Family Children's, told the council the milestone demonstrates the hospital’s capacity to deliver cutting‑edge care locally and praised the clinical teams and research partners involved. “For two weeks ago, we celebrated a historic milestone when this young man, Daniel, became the first person in Louisiana in the Gulf South to be cured of sickle cell disease using gene therapy,” Fragoso said.
Dr. Dana LeBlanc, director of the sickle cell program at Manning Family Children's, said the hospital provides comprehensive care to more than 400 patients with sickle cell disease and stressed that scientific advances must be matched by policies that expand equitable access. “As these revolutionary therapies become available, we must ensure that access is equitable,” LeBlanc said, noting transportation, insurance coverage and care transitions as common barriers.
Dr. Ben Watkins, who leads the stem-cell transplant and gene-therapy program, described Daniel’s clinical course and progress after treatment and emphasized the need for continued research and broader availability. He told the council Daniel has shown normalized hemoglobin and functional improvement months after therapy.
Daniel Creasy spoke directly to the council and described the difficulty of getting care: insurance denials, eligibility windows, and geographic and income barriers. “Accessing this treatment was the most difficult thing I’ve done,” he said, urging officials and systems to reduce obstacles so more patients can benefit.
Council members praised the hospital team and urged advocacy for state‑level policy and insurance reforms to expand access. The council presented proclamations and invited hospital staff and the family to take photos at the dais.
