Heman Bekele, a 14-year-old American boy, created a special soap to fight skin cancer. Thanks to his invention, the teenager recently won the prestigious "America's Youngest Scientist" award dedicated to young scientists.
We note that the skin cancer soap developed by Bekele, a high school freshman, has not yet been approved for human use, but is hoped to get the green light by 2028 from Food And Drug. Administration (FDA).
The driving force that led him to create this experimental soap was the memory of his childhood in Ethiopia, where he saw many people exposed to the sun while working.
"Skin cancer is mostly found in people living in developing countries. But the average price for an operation is $40,000. I was devastated by the idea that people had to choose between treatment and putting food on the table for their families. There are so many preventable deaths," Heman said in a news release from the Fairfax Public Schools office.
Driven by an innate curiosity and desire to create something positive for others, the boy began reading up on skin cancer and buying/mixing products potentially useful for his cause, also thanks to the support of his mentor Deborah Isabelle – specialist engineers from 3M – and scientists from the University of Virginia and Georgetown University.
What is certain is that the product developed by Heman Bekele is significantly cheaper than a standard cancer treatment, as a single bar of soap can be produced for as little as $0.50 (or $8.50 for twenty) .
The young man hopes to be able to invest the $25,000 won with the prizes not only to patent his promising invention, but also to enroll in the University and start a brilliant career as a scientist, already started at the age new with exceptional results.
