Alexandria teen returns home after receiving state's first pediatric gene therapy

Phillip Mullin, a 15-year-old from Alexandria, has left Manning Family Children's Hospital in New Orleans after becoming the first child in Louisiana to undergo gene therapy for sickle cell disease. The procedure marks a milestone for the state's pediatric care, as Mullin is also the first person in Louisiana to receive Lyfgenia, a specific stem cell treatment.

Mullin's discharge was announced during a ceremony held on Friday morning. His mother, Shataka Figgins, noted that the process of returning home would involve unpacking more than just physical belongings. She 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." Figgins added that she would remember the sleepless nights spent worrying about his body's limits, but she would also focus on seeing the young man who survived the illness.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that sickle cell disease causes abnormal red blood cells. These abnormalities can result in chronic pain, infections, and strokes. Mullin has been hospitalized more than 100 times during his lifetime due to the condition. At the hospital event, Mullin addressed the audience, stating, "Sacrifices are necessary. You can't gain anything without first giving something in return, although if you can endure that pain and walk away from it, you find that you now have a heart strong enough to overcome any obstacle."

Mullin also spoke about his sister, Paige, whom he described as his superhero. He acknowledged that he often teased her, but emphasized that she remains a constant presence in his life. "It doesn't matter how far I walk, Paige is always there, always waiting," he said. Paige described the moment as deeply emotional, noting that she had never expected her brother would have the opportunity to receive this specific treatment. She summarized her feelings by saying, "It just feels great."

Archie Manning, the New Orleans Saints legend and one of the hospital's namesakes, spoke shortly after the ceremony. He said he had never witnessed anything similar to Mullin's description of his journey with the disease. Manning called the teen a "wonderful young man" with a remarkable mind and described the successful outcome as "a miracle."

Mullin expressed hope that other patients with sickle cell disease will have access to stem cell gene therapy. He plans to return to school and eventually pursue a career as a hematologist/oncologist, a physician who treats blood disorders and cancer. "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. For the immediate future, Mullin said his primary goals are to sleep in his own bed and build Legos with his baby sister.