100 hospital stays end for Louisiana teen receiving state's first pediatric Lyfgenia dose

Phillip Mullin, a 15-year-old resident of Alexandria, has been functionally cured of sickle cell disease, making him the first child in Louisiana to undergo the procedure. He is also the first person in the state to receive Lyfgenia, a stem cell therapy that alters blood cells to prevent the condition. The treatment follows a history that included more than 100 hospitalizations for Mullin.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies sickle cell disease as a disorder causing abnormal red blood cells. This condition often results in severe pain, infections, and stroke. For Mullin, the diagnosis meant repeated stays in medical facilities throughout his childhood. His treatment concluded with a ceremony held Friday morning at Manning Family Children's Hospital in New Orleans.

Shataka Figgins, Mullin's mother, described the discharge as the start of a new phase. She stated that she would now unpack more than just his hospital bag. "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 said. She recalled sleepless nights and moments of doubt regarding how much more her son's body could endure, but she also noted she sees the young man who survived the ordeal.

Mullin addressed the audience during the ceremony, telling them that 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," he said. He also honored his sister, Paige, whom he called his superhero. "It doesn't matter how far I walk, Paige is always there, always waiting," Mullin said. Paige described the moment as emotional, noting she had not expected him 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. Shortly after the ceremony, he stated he had never seen anyone quite like Mullin describing his journey. He called Mullin a "wonderful young man" with a remarkable mind, describing the outcome as a "miracle."

Mullin plans to return to school and pursue a career in medicine. He intends to become a hematologist/oncologist to treat 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," Mullin said. He expressed hope that as many people with the disease as possible will access stem cell gene therapy. For the immediate future, he plans to sleep in his own bed and build Legos with his younger sister.