After receiving a special accolade on October 2, a 4-year-old kid, Make-A-Wish, and the Chicago Police Department all made Chicago proud.
For young Kahlil, the day was very eventful. It was followed by a formal ceremony to officially welcome him to the police force.
He had previously taken rides on the police boat and the police chopper. Kahlil suffers from sickle cell anemia, a serious blood condition.
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His ambition to become a police officer was thus fulfilled on Sunday via Make-A-Wish and CPD.
Additionally, Khalil got to use a police robot and a battering ram. He needs regular blood transfusions and must take medication every day. His parents described him as a powerful boy who consistently astounds his physicians.
In the meantime, Chicago's blood supply is in what medical professionals describe as "a vulnerable position," and the situation is much more critical for sickle cell anemia patients.
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The Chicago area's existing blood supply would last two to three days. Usually, there would be enough for a week in the Chicago region.
Red blood cells affected by sickle cell disease tend to be malformed or degrade at a disproportionately rapid pace. The condition can be fatal if left untreated because blood flow obstructions deprive the body of essential nutrients, including oxygen.
The blood type necessary for treating sickle cell disease is not only present in over half of all Black Americans, but it also disproportionately affects many inner-city populations.
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One in 400 Black Americans has sickle cell disease.
Senior health officials have urgently requested additional Black donors as hospitals are struggling to meet the rising demand from sickle cell disease patients.
According to NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), a record number of blood donations are required daily to treat sickle cell disease patients. Because it is one of the hereditary disorders with the fastest growth rate globally, there is a greater need for treatment than ever before.
In the previous five years, there has been a roughly 67% increase in the need for blood to treat sickle cell disease. In contrast to five years ago, when just 150 donations per day were necessary, the NHSBT said that 250 donations are now needed daily to assist people with sickle cell.
These new statistics demonstrate that hospitals need blood more than ever for patients with sickle cell illnesses. Sickle cell disease disproportionately affects people of Black, African or Black Caribbean descent.
According to health officials, growing patient populations, longer patient lifespans, and an increase in "full blood transfusions" contribute to rising demand. Only slightly more than half of the hospitals' requests for matched blood can now be fulfilled by the NHS.
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O negative, the universal blood type, which is clinically safe but can cause difficulties over time, must be administered to other individuals.
Approximately 55% of Black people and 2% of the general population have the blood type Ro. According to a briefing memo from NHSBT, there isn't enough Ro blood available for sickle cell patients to fulfill hospital demand.
Red blood cells produced by sickle cell disease sufferers have an abnormal form and can obstruct blood vessels in addition to having a shorter lifespan than healthy blood cells.
"Agonizing crisis episodes" and potentially deadly complications like organ damage or stroke can result from this.
Despite the fact that many of the symptoms can be managed with treatment, it remains a significant and lifelong health issue. Many sickle cell sufferers require frequent blood transfusions to be alive.
Black people are more likely to be able to donate matched blood because it is essential for sickle cell sufferers to do so in order to lower the risk of significant consequences.
Blood donations have slightly increased, but there is a desperate need for more to sign up as regular donors. Giving blood is simple, quick, and safe; it also improves and saves lives.
