His name is Jack...

Ok... I don't normally get carried away by teen-agers and science fairs.

But this... this is simply amazing.

If you have been touched by pancreatic cancer, you must watch this video...

His name is Jack.  He just won the top honor at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for discovering an early detection test for pancreatic cancer.

His reaction is beyond touching.  But did you hear what he won it for?  Yes?!!!

An. Early. Detection. Test. For. Pancreatic. Cancer....

A test that is simple, costs only pennies, and is almost completely accurate in detecting pancreatic cancer BEFORE it becomes invasive.

Did I mention that he is only 15?  And his reaction cracks your heart into happy just a little?  Ok... be sure to watch the video until the end.  After all the "fun" of accepting his award, Jack shares his story and why it was so important for him to develop this test...

Jack's test for pancreatic cancer is a simple paper strip test (think diabetic test strip).  Using blood or urine, it tests for the presence or level of mesothelin, a pancreatic cancer biomarker.  The test takes only about 5 minutes to run, and currently is about 90% accurate in detecting the mesothelin.  According to Jack, the test is also 168 times faster than current tests, 400 times more sensitive, and 26,000 times less expensive.

He's only 15.  His excitement is contagious.  Sometimes it just doesn't take billions of dollars or teams of brilliant scientists.  Just one boy, a passion and a purpose...

Is this the medical break-through that Pancreatic Cancer patients have been waiting for?  Maybe.  Perhaps.  But before we can lay claim to this tantilizing hope, his discovery must go through much, much more testing... His mentors at John Hopkins warn that it may take years for his Early Detection Test to arrive on the market.

That feels just too, too long!

Even so, there is no denying that Hope is hovering on the Horizon...

Thank you Jack Andraka for putting a smile in my heart today!