A 12-year-old has started a new gene therapy for sickle cell disease that could potentially cure the condition.

Kendric Cromer, a bright and energetic 12-year-old, is making history as the first person in the United States to receive a newly approved gene therapy for sickle cell disease. Being treated at Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C., Kendric's family and medical team are hopeful that he could be the first person ever to be cured of this debilitating disease through gene therapy.

Sickle cell disease, a condition that affects approximately 100,000 people in the U.S. and is prevalent among African Americans, causes daily pain and frequent hospital stays for Kendric. But with this groundbreaking treatment, there is finally a glimmer of hope for a cure. Kendric's mother, Deb Cromer, shared with NBC News Washington her family's excitement and pride in being a part of this medical breakthrough. She would do anything for her son, and knowing that he is the first to receive this treatment outside of a research setting fills her with hope and gratitude.

The gene therapy, called Lovo-Cel, was approved by the FDA last year and is produced by Bluebird Bio. Before receiving the therapy, Kendric had to undergo a lengthy process of having his bone marrow stem cells extracted, a procedure that took up to eight hours. This was followed by the genetic modification of his cells, which were then re-infused back into his body after three months. This process is not only time-consuming, but it is also limited in its availability, with estimates of only being able to treat 85 to 105 patients each year.

Dr. David Jacobsohn, chief of the medical center's division of blood and marrow transplantation, shared with The New York Times the significant effort that goes into each patient's treatment. At Children's National Hospital alone, there were at least 20 eligible and interested patients, but the decision of who would be treated first was based on factors such as the severity of the illness and insurance coverage.

For Kendric and his family, this gene therapy offers a glimmer of hope for a future free of sickle cell disease and the constant pain and hospital visits that come with it. As the first person in the U.S. to receive this treatment, Kendric is paving the way for others who may benefit from this breakthrough therapy. And with the support of his family and medical team, Kendric is on his way to making history and hopefully becoming the first person ever to be cured of sickle cell disease through gene therapy.

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