Heat-related illnesses, such as dehydration and heatstroke, can be deadly for a person living with sickle cell, according to the National Institutes of Health. “But I just thought that was so pivotal because … He knew so much about sickle cell disease,” said Sifo of one of his doctors. When the couple married, she said they talked openly about the shortened life expectancy associated with sickle cell disease. Two months out from the gene therapy treatment, Sifo said he is pain-free and has a new lease on life. But after a lifetime of living with sickle cell disease, Sifo’s outlook is based on leaps of faith.