100 Hospital Stays End as Louisiana Teen Becomes First Child Treated with Lyfgenia

Phillip Mullin left Manning Family Children's Hospital in New Orleans on Friday, ending a 15-year medical battle that included more than 100 hospitalizations. He is the first child in Louisiana to undergo treatment with Lyfgenia, a stem cell gene therapy that the medical team says functionally cures sickle cell disease.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies sickle cell disease as a condition where abnormal red blood cells cause chronic pain, infection, and stroke risk. Mullin’s case marks the first time this specific therapeutic intervention has been administered to a pediatric patient within the state.

Mullin’s mother, Shataka Figgins, described the discharge as a moment of profound relief. She stated that she is now unpacking the fears and negative emotions accumulated over years of sleepless nights. Figgins said she will remember the moments she questioned how much her son’s body could endure, but she will also focus on the young man who survived the ordeal.

During a ceremony held for the discharge, Mullin addressed the audience, noting that sacrifices are necessary to gain anything. He told the crowd that enduring pain allows a person to develop a heart strong enough to overcome obstacles. He also dedicated a portion of his speech to his sister, Paige, whom he called his superhero. Paige said she was emotional because she never expected her brother to have this medical opportunity.

Archie Manning, a New Orleans Saints legend and namesake of the hospital, attended the event. He described Mullin as a wonderful young man with a remarkable mind. Manning said the outcome was a miracle and that he had never seen anything quite like Mullin’s journey with the disease.

Mullin plans to return to school and pursue a career as a hematologist or oncologist. He said he wants to be a doctor who can relate to sickle cell patients and understands their experience. For now, his immediate goals are to sleep in his own bed and build Lego sets with his baby sister.