After a lifetime of sickle cell crises Phillip celebrates a new beginning

The Alexandria teen marked a milestone at Manning Family Children’s after receiving gene therapy for sickle cell disease.

For most of his life, Phillip never knew when a sickle cell crisis would strike. Diagnosed as a newborn, he has endured more than 100 hospitalizations and 15 surgeries. His family had tried every available medication to reduce his painful episodes before learning there were few options left.

On October 23, 2026, the 15-year-old marked a different kind of milestone. Surrounded by family, friends and his care team at Manning Family Children’s, Phillip rang the bell to celebrate the functional cure of his sickle cell disease through gene therapy.

Phillip is the first child and second person in Louisiana to receive gene therapy for sickle cell disease, and the first in the state to receive LYFGENIA. For Phillip and his family, the celebration was about the possibility of a childhood with fewer limitations and a future he could look forward to.

Finding a path forward

That search led Phillip and his mother, Shataka Figgins, from their home in Alexandria, Louisiana, to Manning Family Children’s. There, they explored stem cell transplantation and gene therapy with a team specializing in complex blood disorders, including Benjamin Watkins, MD, director of the Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapies Program. Phillip had already researched his options and advocated for gene therapy, which uses his own blood-forming stem cells rather than cells from a donor.

His mother found reassurance in Dr. Watkins’ willingness to listen to Phillip and involve him in decisions about his care.

“He allows Phillip to be a part of his treatment,” Shataka said. “Phillip researches everything and asks a million questions. I love a doctor who builds rapport, has a great bedside manner, and is so knowledgeable.”

Preparing for gene therapy

LYFGENIA is a one-time gene therapy for patients 12 years of age or older with sickle cell disease and a history of vaso-occlusive events, also known as pain crises.

LYFGENIA is made specifically for each patient using their own blood-forming stem cells. The treatment adds functional copies of the beta-globin gene, enabling production of anti-sickling hemoglobin that may decrease or stop vaso-occlusive events. After the cells are modified in a specialized laboratory, chemotherapy prepares the bone marrow to receive them.

Authorization for Phillip’s gene therapy was requested in December 2024, and approval was secured in June 2025. Once approved, the process moved relatively quickly: less than two months later, Phillip began preparing for treatment in August 2025. His journey continued with red blood cell exchanges, stem cell collection, chemotherapy, infusion of his genetically modified cells and a demanding recovery.

Before treatment, Phillip visited the Genetix facility in New Jersey, where LYFGENIA is manufactured. Seeing his own cells before they were sent back for treatment became one of the most memorable moments of his journey and helped inspire his interest in a future medical career.

A meaningful date and a demanding recovery

On July 13, 2026, his sister’s 10th birthday, Phillip received his genetically modified stem cells at Manning Family Children’s. The infusion lasted only minutes, followed by weeks of close monitoring as his blood counts recovered. During recovery, he developed severe mucositis, a painful inflammation of the mouth and throat that required a feeding tube and IV pain medicine.

A celebration made for Phillip

More than 100 days after his infusion, Phillip rang the bell with the highest hemoglobin level of his life. The celebration included a custom Lego display created by Bricks and Minifigs, a tribute to one of his favorite ways to spend his time.

NFL legend and hospital namesake Archie Manning introduced Tevin Coleman, a Genetix NFL Alumni Ambassador. Coleman’s daughter was diagnosed with sickle cell disease as an infant, and his family is working to raise awareness and create a better future for others living with the disease.

“The true measure of what we accomplish is not simply what we cure,” said Dr. Watkins. “It is the lives that people get to live because of it. Today, we get to celebrate all that has been made possible for Phillip and his family, and there is no greater joy than this.”

“Today, we are celebrating giving a 15-year-old kid his childhood back, and a future no longer limited by the weight of sickle cell disease,” said Lucio A. Fragoso, president and chief executive officer of Manning Family Children’s. “This was made possible by our extraordinary doctors, care teams, medical partners, and those who have supported Phillip along the way – and now, we get to enjoy watching him be a kid, while dreaming big about his future.”

Looking toward the future

An honor student despite years of hospitalizations, Phillip hopes to return to the activities sickle cell disease has often limited, including visiting water parks and exploring the mountains. He also dreams of becoming a pediatric hematology-oncology physician so he can care for children facing the same challenges.

His visit to the Genetix facility helped bring that dream into focus. After seeing the science behind his own treatment, Phillip hopes to one day help children navigating a journey like his.

Specialized sickle cell care

Manning Family Children’s Comprehensive Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Program cares for more than 400 patients with sickle cell disease and other hemoglobin disorders from across Louisiana and the Gulf South. The hospital is the only pediatric hospital in Louisiana offering both bone marrow transplantation and curative gene therapy for children with sickle cell disease, supported by a multidisciplinary team with more than 30 years of experience in stem cell transplantation.

Pediatric hematologists, transplant physicians, nurses, pharmacists, genetic counselors, social workers and other specialists work together to guide families through treatment and recovery.

Learn more about sickle cell disease treatment, gene therapy and the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at www.manningchildrens.org/services/hematology-oncology.