Sick Cells met with Hanif Mouehla, a Harvard pre-med student and passionate sickle cell advocate, who has courageously shared his story to increase awareness of clinical trials and the promise of cell and gene therapies. Hanif reflects on his experience undergoing a clinical trial at just eight years old, his road to recovery, and his commitment to advancing a future where every Sickle Cell Warrior has access to life-saving treatment.
The Decision That Saved His Life
At eight years old, Hanif experienced a case of acute chest syndrome (ACS) that caused his lungs to collapse. He was put in a medically induced coma for six weeks. During that time, his parents were running out of options and hope, until a pediatric hematology-oncology specialist approached them with a clinical trial: haploidentical allogeneic stem cell transplant. For Hanif’s parents, the trial offered hope.
“My parents at that time, they were desperate,” Hanif shared. “They were desperate because they had seen their son nearly die more times than any parent should, so they said, ‘We need to do this to save Hanif.’”
Life before treatment was filled with pain crises, long hospital stays, and frequent absences from school. Beyond the physical challenges, Hanif faced social isolation in environments where few people understood sickle cell disease. This clinical trial represented the turning point his family needed.
Hanif’s three siblings were tested for donor compatibility, but none were a match. His medical team then explored a half-match donor option, and ultimately, his mother was identified as the donor. That discovery marked the beginning of a two-year treatment and recovery journey.
Hanif’s New Chapter: Hanif remembers his transplant day clearly: September 15, 2014, a date he calls “day zero.” After months of transfusions and chemotherapy, the actual procedure lasted only about ten minutes, a surprisingly quick moment following years of pain and months of preparation. While the procedure was brief, the meaning of the day was profound – it marked the beginning of a new chapter, one defined by healing, resilience, and hope.
A Pioneer and Voice for the Community
Hanif was the seventh patient to participate in this trial. Today, more than sixty Warriors have followed in his footsteps. “I felt like a pioneer for this type of treatment,” he said.
But Hanif’s journey did not end with his recovery. He has spent over a decade sharing his story and uplifting others navigating sickle cell disease. “There is no right or wrong way to advocate,” he says. “I use my story to motivate fellow Warriors. Representation matters, especially for a disorder that deserves much more attention and awareness.”
Hanif hopes to one day become a hematologist/oncologist, specializing in sickle cell disease to create a space where patients feel seen, supported, and understood. “I want to say to patients, ‘I was in your position. Look at me now, I’m giving back.’”
Hanif’s story is a testament to courage, scientific innovation, and the power of community. His story reminds us why expanding access to clinical trials and equitable therapeutic options is essential, and why the future of sickle cell treatment must be shaped alongside those who have lived it.
To learn more about clinical trials, join Sick Cells on November 13, at the Sick Cells Therapeutic Conference, hosted in Washington, DC.
Published Nov 2025