Bronx Teenager Celebrates New Lease on Life with Groundbreaking Gene Therapy

A Rare Blood Disorder Diagnosis

• 🎯 16-year-old Mariah Nurse battled a rare blood disorder for most of her life.
• 😔 The condition left her feeling tired, weak, and reliant on monthly blood transfusions.

Groundbreaking Gene Therapy Treatment

• 🔬 Doctors at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) harvested Mariah's stem cells.
• 🛠️ These cells were re-engineered in a lab and then infused back into her body in September.
• 💪 Mariah endured chemotherapy as part of the treatment, showing immense grit.

Successful Treatment and Recovery

• ✅ On December 1st, Mariah received the news that the treatment was successful.
• 🌟 For the first time since birth, she is free from the disease that defined her childhood.
• 🚀 The gene therapy has made her transfusion independent.

Gratitude and Support

• 👏 Mariah is the first gene therapy patient at CHAM and expresses gratitude for the doctors and staff.
• 💖 She also acknowledges her strong support system at home for always being there for her.