Pass Laisha's Law: Mandate Sickle Cell Education for ER and Hospital Staff
The Issue
On January 4, 2025, our daughter, Laisha Jones, was admitted to Buffalo General Hospital between 10:40 and 11:00 a.m. in unbearable pain that she described as worse than childbirth. Laisha, dealing with a well-documented history of sickle cell disease, was also contending with pneumonia. Her condition was critical. Unfortunately, despite the urgency and gravity of her situation, she was left to suffer for hours without being properly assessed or treated.
Laisha’s case is not isolated. Thousands of sickle cell patients across the United States face similar challenges when seeking care in emergency situations. The lack of specialized knowledge and efficient protocols for treating sickle cell disease in emergency rooms often leads to inadequate and delayed care. Statistics show that sickle cell disease affects about 100,000 Americans, with patients frequently experiencing pain crises that necessitate immediate and effective medical intervention.
To address this urgent issue, we are asking for the passage of the 'Laisha Law'. This would mandate comprehensive and expedited training for emergency room and hospital staff to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to recognize and adequately respond to sickle cell crises. Training should focus on swift pain management, recognizing the symptoms and complications of sickle cell disease, and compassionate care practices.
Implementing these measures is not only a matter of improving patient outcomes but also ensuring equitable healthcare access for all. With proper training, medical facilities can significantly reduce the suffering of sickle cell patients and potentially save lives.
By signing this petition, you will help push for critical legal reform that could transform the healthcare experience for sickle cell disease patients. Your signature can make a difference in pressing policymakers to prioritize this issue and enact legislation that mandates safer, faster, and more informed care in hospitals across America.
Let us honor Laisha’s struggle by ensuring that no other family has to endure a similar ordeal. Sign this petition to make the 'Laisha Law' a reality."
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The Issue
On January 4, 2025, our daughter, Laisha Jones, was admitted to Buffalo General Hospital between 10:40 and 11:00 a.m. in unbearable pain that she described as worse than childbirth. Laisha, dealing with a well-documented history of sickle cell disease, was also contending with pneumonia. Her condition was critical. Unfortunately, despite the urgency and gravity of her situation, she was left to suffer for hours without being properly assessed or treated.
Laisha’s case is not isolated. Thousands of sickle cell patients across the United States face similar challenges when seeking care in emergency situations. The lack of specialized knowledge and efficient protocols for treating sickle cell disease in emergency rooms often leads to inadequate and delayed care. Statistics show that sickle cell disease affects about 100,000 Americans, with patients frequently experiencing pain crises that necessitate immediate and effective medical intervention.
To address this urgent issue, we are asking for the passage of the 'Laisha Law'. This would mandate comprehensive and expedited training for emergency room and hospital staff to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to recognize and adequately respond to sickle cell crises. Training should focus on swift pain management, recognizing the symptoms and complications of sickle cell disease, and compassionate care practices.
Implementing these measures is not only a matter of improving patient outcomes but also ensuring equitable healthcare access for all. With proper training, medical facilities can significantly reduce the suffering of sickle cell patients and potentially save lives.
By signing this petition, you will help push for critical legal reform that could transform the healthcare experience for sickle cell disease patients. Your signature can make a difference in pressing policymakers to prioritize this issue and enact legislation that mandates safer, faster, and more informed care in hospitals across America.
Let us honor Laisha’s struggle by ensuring that no other family has to endure a similar ordeal. Sign this petition to make the 'Laisha Law' a reality."
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Petition created on September 19, 2026