When we think of people helping people, it’s typically an act of kindness that can turn around another’s day or even change their outlook, maybe even their life . . . but this story has the power to keep changing lives . . . and SAVING lives!
Jack Andraka may only be 15, but he’s already had a medical breakthrough with an invention of his own that could potentially save many, many lives.
The teenage inventor developed a device with the ability to detect pancreatic cancer much earlier than what was currently possible.
This is a detection that could be the difference between life and death.
Jack, from Crownsville, Maryland, became motivated to make a difference after a close friend succumbed to pancreatic cancer.
The upsetting fact about pancreatic cancer is that is is often diagnosed at a further stage, and late-stage pancreatic cancer detection is basically a death sentence — but, early detection returns a higher survival rate.
Jack invented a method that is 168 times faster . . . 26,000 times less expensive, and 400 times more sensitive . . . with a 100% accuracy (compared to the previous method’s 70% accuracy).
How did he do it?
“I made the discovery with a laptop, a smartphone, and some online searches,” Jack told National Geographic.
Oh, and detecting pancreatic cancer isn’t all Jack’s invention is capable of . . .
Jack continued, “By changing the antibody, the sensor could detect bio-markers for Alzheimer’s, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other cancers.
“I couldn’t save my friend who died of pancreatic cancer, but I hope I’ve discovered something that means other families won’t have to face similar struggles,” shares the inspirational teen.
Learn his name and share this story . . . Jack Andraka deserves all the recognition for this incredible breakthrough in the medical field . . . and he’s only 15 years old.
