local
23-year-old becomes first in state functionally cured of sickle cell disease
By KGNS — Sitewide
· June 23, 2026
· 1 min read
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE/Gray News) - A New Orleans man became the first person in Louisiana to be functionally cured of sickle cell disease through gene therapy.Daniel Cressy, 23, underwent the procedure at Manning Family Children’s Hospital, with doctors saying the disease is now no longer active in h...
Key takeaway Daniel Cressy, 23, underwent the procedure at Manning Family Children’s Hospital, with doctors saying the disease is now no longer active in his system.
Why this matters in The Laredo
In Laredo , where access to specialized medical care can be a challenge, the breakthrough in sickle cell disease treatment is a significant development. While the gene therapy procedure that cured Daniel Cressy is not currently available in our city, it raises hopes that similar treatments could become more widely accessible in the future. The fact that Cressy's nonprofit aims to help others undergoing the same treatment is particularly relevant to our community, where many residents may face barriers to healthcare due to geographical or socioeconomic factors. As Cressy emphasized, access to treatment should not be limited by zip code, and it is crucial that Laredo's healthcare providers and policymakers take note of this milestone and work towards making such innovative treatments available to those who need them in our area. This could involve collaborating with hospitals and research institutions in larger cities to bring cutting-edge care to our community.
About this story
Original reporting by KGNS — Sitewide . The Laredo surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KGNS — Sitewide . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: KGNS — Sitewide ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? NEW ORLEANS (WVUE/Gray News) - A New Orleans man became the first person in Louisiana to be functionally cured of sickle cell disease through gene therapy.Daniel Cressy, 23, underwent the procedure at Manning Family Children’s Hospital, with doctors saying the disease is now no longer active in h...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by KGNS — Sitewide and curated for The Laredo readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by KGNS — Sitewide. To learn more about how The Laredo selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Laredo, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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