A young man’s journey with hemophilia and gene therapy, part 3
Stepping into a future many of us once thought was impossible
Last in a series. Read parts one and two.
For 21-year-old Domenic Catrine, hemophilia B once dictated every part of life, from wearing a helmet during childhood playtime to college routines shaped by weekly factor infusions. Then he underwent gene therapy during his sophomore year in college, and the weight lifted.
“It eliminated the responsibility of taking medicine every week,” he said. “It gave me the chance to just live my life.”
Gone are the Monday mornings of mixing vials, finding a vein, and carving out time from his schedule for treatment. Gone is the stress from having to order medicine and worry about insurance. For the first time in his life, Domenic can wake in the mornings without having to plan his day around hemophilia. He says the change has been transformative.
“It’s hard to explain how big a difference it makes,” he said. “You don’t realize how much space treatment takes up in your brain until it’s gone.”
In addition to physical benefits, Domenic feels lighter emotionally. Instead of constantly thinking like a patient — watching for bleeds, counting doses, and arranging supplies — he can simply be a college student. Classes, friendships, and even pickup basketball games no longer carry the same undercurrent of stress.
“Before, I was always carrying hemophilia around with me,” he explained. “Now, it’s not at the front of my mind all the time.”
The change has also eased the load for his family. His mom, who once infused him before work and hovered over his treatment schedule, no longer has to worry in the same way. “She’s still involved, but now she can step back and just be my mom,” Domenic said. The bond between them remains strong, but it’s no longer defined by medical responsibility.
Gene therapy hasn’t erased Domenic’s history with hemophilia, but it has redefined his future. He can now picture adulthood, a career, and family life without the constant backdrop of weekly infusions.
“It gives me hope that my life doesn’t have to revolve around this condition,” he said.
Still, he knows gene therapy isn’t necessarily a universal or guaranteed permanent fix. It’s a choice each patient must weigh carefully. But for Domenic, it has opened doors that once felt closed.
A message to others
When speaking with other patients who are considering gene therapy, Domenic stresses the importance of making the decision for themselves.
“Your doctors will give advice, your family will have opinions, but at the end of the day, it has to be your choice,” he said.
For Domenic, that choice meant stepping into the unknown with courage. And though the procedure may have been anticlimactic, the life he’s living afterward is anything but that.
As someone who also lives with a bleeding disorder, I found myself deeply moved by Domenic’s words. His story demonstrates what it means to step into a future many of us once thought impossible.
It also highlights the extraordinary courage it takes to participate in a clinical trial. Signing up for something so new — with unknown risks, uncertain outcomes, and no guarantee of success — requires a leap of faith. Patients like Domenic, who bravely agree to be among the first, pave the way for others in our community. Their choices not only change their lives, but also help to bring new options to everyone who shares this condition.
Gene therapy may not be perfect, and it may not be for everyone. But Domenic’s journey is proof of what is possible when science, courage, and support come together. For Domenic, it’s more than just one less appointment or one less dose. It’s the freedom to see himself as more than a patient and to imagine a future unshackled from the daily weight of hemophilia.
Note: Hemophilia News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Hemophilia News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to hemophilia.
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