07/22/2026
Before he became the first person in Louisiana to be functionally cured of sickle cell anemia through gene therapy, Daniel Cressy started as a patient of the Sickle Cell Center of Southern Louisiana.
“Daniel has been cared for by our center at Tulane University since he was just 10 days old,” said Ernest DeJean Jr., MSA, administrative director for the Sickle Cell Center of Southern Louisiana (SCCSL). “Daniel’s journey is like that of many individuals living with sickle cell disease. It has caused physical and emotional chaos in many aspects of his life.”
Despite those challenges, Cressy always persevered. And behind those challenges was the support from the entire Sickle Cell Center team.
“Daniel’s success is a result of his determination and the trust he and his parents placed in this program,” DeJean said. “Displaying his usual resilience, he requested support from the center to help facilitate his wish for a cure.”
Cressy’s story helps dispel myths of individuals living with sickle cell disease not having the same aspirations as individuals living with other chronic illnesses, DeJean said.
Sickle cell anemia is a relentless disease associated with pain, physical limitations and shortened life expectancy. These warriors not only dream big but set and achieve professional and personal goals despite the many adversities they face from both the medical community as well as society as a whole, where the disease is often not well understood. Daniel’s drive is a testament to these patients, who make strides despite the many doors slammed in their faces.”
DeJean added Louisiana responded to the plight of those living with sickle cell disease and their advocates regarding the need for better, more aggressive treatment options Louisiana did it despite the high cost of gene therapy,” he said. “The center is thankful for Louisiana Medicaid and those in the state who pushed this initiative.
“While others have been afforded gene therapy in other parts of the country, Daniel’s case offers medical and financial hope to sickle cell warriors residing in the South, which has the largest concentration of this patient population.”
DeJean said sickle cell patients need to know, for those who are eligible, gene therapy is not an overnight process and that they should know bone marrow transplantation is an alternative option for some. He added those who are interested should speak with their hematologist for a referral to a sickle cell center/clinic that provides these treatment options.
“We also want to let individuals and families affected by sickle cell disease know that the Sickle Cell Center at Tulane University offers comprehensive medical care and is open to all who are looking for these services. Our goal is to ensure that warriors and their families receive expert medical, psychological and social support.”
DeJean said he would like to thank both former and current staff members of the Sickle Cell Center and Tulane physicians who cared for Cressy through his 23 years. Those members include Maeola Jones, Jeanie Johnson, Gayle Taplin, Arsenia Harrison, Chanel Holt, Dr. Melody Benton, Rihana Galloway-Dawkins, Trenese McDonald, Maricel Paramesh, Nicole Reynaud, Dr. Charles Scher, Dr. Charles Hemenway, Dr. Marshall Schorin, Dr. Marta Rozans, Dr. Rebecca Kruse-Jarres, Dr. Tammuella Singleton, Dr. Julie Kanter, Dr. Rischi Chavan, Dr. Amina Rafique, Dr. Justin Farge, Dr. Benjamin Watkins, Dr. Maria Espanol, Dr. Cindy Leissinger, Dr. Chancellor Donald and Dr. Amy Kinzie.
“Kudos to you for your dedication to the sickle cell community and for your role in Daniel’s life while under the Tulane Sickle Cell umbrella,” he said.
