Groundbreaking gene therapy for sickle cell disease - Children's National

A recent NBC News story follows Wedam Minyila, a teenager living with sickle cell disease, as he undergoes a groundbreaking gene-editing treatment at Children's National Hospital that could transform care for patients with the condition. A year ago, NBC News joined Wedam at the start of the intensive process, which included the removal of his stem cells for revolutionary gene editing and rounds of chemotherapy.

Now, NBC News' Yamiche Alcindor checks in with Wedam and his family and to learn how he's doing, what challenges remain and what the road ahead may hold - a journey that doctors at Children's National hope could lead to a medical breakthrough for sickle cell patients around the world.

"He's not needing transfusion support because his genetically modified bone marrow is now making his red blood cells," said Henna Butt, MD, bone marrow and transplantation fellow at Children's National. Watch the video on NBC News.