Irish woman Olivia Humphreys, who is the person behind “Athena,” a mobile scalp cooling device for chemotherapy patients, has landed the Global James Dyson Award 2024.
After seeing her own mother suffer through cancer, Humphreys invented an affordable – and portable – device for chemotherapy patients that uses scalp cooling to prevent hair-loss.
It is also 1⁄20 of the price of existing technology and can be used outside hospital, reducing the time patients are forced to spend on wards.
A recent graduate of the University of Limerick, Humphreys has landed a €38,000 prize fund for the Medical category, while Shane Kyi Hla Win and Danial Sufiyan Bin Shaiful from Singapore took the Sustainability prize for their airXeed Radiosonde invention.
Speaking of the 2024 winners, James Dyson said: “We started the James Dyson Award nearly 20 years ago to encourage students at university to solve problems.
"And we’ve had thousands and thousands of entries since. It’s wonderfully encouraging to see how many students have solutions to severe global problems.
"Instead of sitting back and talking about it, they’re doing something about it – and that’s what the James Dyson Award encourages.
"We’ve got two brilliant winners this year which we’re thrilled to support, and I hope the Award will give them a springboard to future success.”
Speaking about Humphreys' award, Dyson said: “I haven't had cancer, but members of my family have had cancer and hair loss is a particularly depressing and debilitating part of chemotherapy treatment.
"You can freeze your scalp which you have to do in special facilities, but these aren't always available, are costly and it’s very painful.
"This year’s Medical Winner, Olivia Humphreys, has tackled this problem by designing Athena, for portable scalp cooling.
"You can wear it while you travel, you can wear it in the car to and from hospital, you can use it at home – it’s a low-cost alternative available to everybody, with the potential to make a real difference.”
Delighted with her win, Humphreys said: “I’m incredibly proud of the hard work, ambition, and commitment that went into creating Athena.
"The recognition from the James Dyson Award validates not just my efforts, but also the stories and insights shared by people who’ve experienced cancer treatment.
"My mum inspired this journey, and it’s incredibly emotional and rewarding to have my project reach this level.
"The Award has motivated me to recognise my potential, and it opens up exciting opportunities for me as a young designer and innovator.”
The global award follows on from her recent win in Ireland.
Liz Yeates, CEO of the Marie Keating Foundation, added: "I want to congratulate Olivia for creating the mobile scalp cooling device and being awarded this year’s global winner of the James Dyson Award.
"Any invention that can help prevent hair loss for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy would be so positively received."
*This article was originally published on BusinessPlus.ie.
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