Nationwide — Daniel Cressy, a 22-year-old African American man from New Orleans, Louisiana, is hoping to make history as the first person in the state to be cured of sickle cell disease using a groundbreaking gene therapy.

Daniel dreams of becoming a pilot but has been told he can only obtain a pilot’s license if he is fully cured of the disease.

On Wednesday, he began the first step toward that goal at Manning Family Children’s Hospital, undergoing the first of two six-hour sessions to collect his stem cells. According to WWLTV, these cells will be sent overseas for genetic editing to correct the defect causing his body to produce misshapen, sickle-shaped red blood cells.

The edited cells will then be reintroduced into his body, aiming to enable the production of healthy, normally shaped red blood cells.

“Honestly, it’s a relief,” Daniel said. “It’s been a long time coming, and this is such a big step. We’re just hoping they collect enough cells so the process can move forward quickly.”

Until now, the only long-term treatment for sickle cell disease was a bone marrow transplant, requiring a close genetic match — a challenge for many patients. This new therapy offers hope and an alternative for those with limited options.