Virginia Teen’s Groundbreaking Invention Could Transform Skin Cancer Therapy
In a remarkable feat of innovation, 15-year-old Heman Bekele has been named TIME’s 2024 Kid of the Year. The young scientist from Virginia has developed a soap that could significantly change the way skin cancer is treated, including melanoma.
A soap that could save lives
Bekele’s creation is being hailed as a “more accessible way to deliver medication to treat skin cancers,” according to the magazine’s announcement released on Thursday. TIME lauded the teen as someone “who could change how we treat skin cancer.”
“It’s absolutely incredible to think that one day my bar of soap will be able to make a direct impact on somebody else’s life,” Bekele told TIME. “That’s the reason I started this all in the first place.”
Bekele’s inspiration stems from his early years in Ethiopia, where he observed many people working without skin protection under the scorching sun. This exposure sparked his curiosity about the long-term effects of sun exposure on the skin.
At the age of seven, after immigrating to the United States, Bekele received a chemistry set for Christmas, which included sodium hydroxide. This gift ignited his interest in chemical reactions and their applications. It was around this time that he began to delve deeper into the potential damage of prolonged sun exposure and the research surrounding skin cancer and its treatment.
Passion for skin cancer research
“I’m really passionate about skin cancer research,” Bekele told TIME. “Whether it’s my own research or what’s happening in the field.”
His research led him to imiquimod, a drug already approved for treating certain skin cancers. When used in a cream form, imiquimod can help destroy tumors. Bekele found a way to incorporate this drug into a soap, aiming to treat earlier stages of skin cancer.
“Almost everyone uses soap and water for cleaning. So soap would probably be the best option,” Bekele explained.
The road ahead
Despite the promising potential of Bekele’s invention, it faces several stages of rigorous testing and approval before it can be used as a treatment. According to TIME, it could take about a decade for the soap to be approved as a cancer treatment.
In the meantime, Bekele remains committed to promoting his invention through presentations, all while balancing his time between playing in the marching band and enjoying games of chess.
This young innovator’s journey from a curious child in Ethiopia to a groundbreaking scientist in Virginia is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. As Bekele continues his work, the world watches with hope for a future where a simple bar of soap could save lives.