The boy who invented soap that could help prevent and treat skin cancer

A 15-year-old boy from Annandale, Virginia, has been named Time Magazine’s 2024 Kid of the Year for his pioneering efforts in the fight against cancer, inventing a soap that could help prevent and treat skin cancer.

Heman Bekele, originally from Ethiopia, is developing a soap that could transform skin cancer treatment. Heman’s groundbreaking soap aims to provide a more accessible and affordable way to deliver treatment for skin cancers, including melanoma, as noted in the magazine’s release. Although the soap is still in the testing phase and not yet available to the public, NBC Washington reports that it could take up to a decade to receive FDA certification.

Heman’s journey into innovation began when he was just seven years old. He would experiment with everyday household items, such as dish soap and laundry detergent, to create what he called his “potions.” He conducted these experiments in secret, hiding the mixtures under his bed to see how they would change overnight. “They were just simple household chemicals,” Heman explained. “I’d mix them together at random and observe what happened.”

His innovative soap has already earned him significant recognition. At 14, he was named America’s Top Young Scientist by 3M and Discovery Education in 2023, besting nine other finalists and earning a $25,000 prize (R445,687). Heman’s selection as the 2024 Kid of the Year highlights his potential to revolutionize skin cancer treatment.