@WishMidAtlantic The moment Super Kaheem saves Santa! #KaheemSavesDC @NationalHarbor pic.twitter.com/cuHk2Mxu5h
— The Capital Wheel (@CapitalWheel) December 16, 2016
By day, Kaheem is a 5-year old who is battling leukemia. But w/ the help of @WishMidAtlantic, he transformed into a superhero on a mission. pic.twitter.com/EVKDgCl3M8
— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) December 16, 2016
@WishMidAtlantic The moment Super Kaheem saves Santa! #KaheemSavesDC @NationalHarbor pic.twitter.com/cuHk2Mxu5h
— The Capital Wheel (@CapitalWheel) December 16, 2016
WASHINGTON — The D.C. area had its own superhero Friday, and his name is Super Kaheem. Donning a red cape, the 5-year-old crime fighter from Owings Mills, Maryland, rescued Santa at National Harbor, stopped the Grinch from stealing presents at the National Theater and rescued D.C. mascots at the Newseum.
“I’m so happy he got the opportunity to do all this today, which is a thing he won’t forget, and I won’t forget it either,” his mother said after a day of watching her son fight bad guys.
Back in April, Kaheem was diagnosed with leukemia. Soon thereafter, Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic found out about his story and his wish to become a superhero. That sparked months of planning that involved the help of many agencies and the community.
“We kind of left it up to him to paint the picture for us and we did the best to execute and fortunately this community is amazing,” said Kellie Wyatt with Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic.
The organization teamed with local TV station Fox 5, which followed the boy throughout the city and had clues waiting for him at all of his stops.
Another mission included a call for his help in finding a missing flag in the office of House Speaker Paul Ryan.
For much of the day, many area police and fire department helped the superhero get from location to location, but he took care of the tough work of throwing a net over the Grinch and untying two running presidents, DC United’s Talon and the Washington Capital’s Slapshot.
His mother said she is thankful for the work of everyone, who helped make the day a success, including hundreds of volunteers who heard his story and showed up in the cold to hold up signs and cheer him on. She said not only does the event help Kaheem during his fight, she hopes he can inspire all those taking part who got to know him.
“He’s very strong, and it gives other people hope as well,” his mother said.
See a video of Kaheem’s adventures:
Find out more about the event and how to donate to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
