CHOC Pediatrica
News and Information for Pediatric Healthcare Professionals
The 2025 administration of gene therapy to treat sickle cell disease marked more than an historic first for Rady Children’s Health Orange County. It also changed the trajectory of a young adult’s life and capped a two-decade journey for the physician and the hematology team who delivered it.
Sickle cell disease is an inherited disorder wherein the red blood cells are misshapen, and can lead to painful episodes and even hospitalization. The disorder is usually diagnosed at birth during newborn screening tests. In honor of National Sickle Cell Month, we spoke to Dr. Geetha Puthenveetil, a pediatric hematologist and director of blood and […]
