McLean teen nonprofit founder, Owen Singer and his mom work Cancer Kicks, a mission-driven charity to support breast cancer warriors and fund the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
The creation of the nonprofit corporation Cancer Kicks is an act of profound love by a teenage son for his mother, but getting to the point of operation proved an exercise in prioritizing action over inertia and sourcing assistance.
Owen Singer, 16, a student at Langley High School in McLean, class of 2026, manages a sophisticated enterprise that demanded a trade-off. The mission took precedence over the typical high school experience.
“It's pretty much been instead of either hanging out with friends or just having free time playing video games, sports, whatever else that might be,” Owen said, noting that he drew a hard line at protecting his academics while developing the nonprofit. The work isn't just a hobby; it's a demanding job. “You prioritize at some point," he said.
When Owen’s mother was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019, he was just 10 years old. His family instinctively created a protective shield, absorbing the emotional impact of chemotherapy and treatments so that Owen and his younger brother only saw the determination, not the struggle.
That shield shattered in 2023 when the cancer returned. Owen was old enough to see his mother’s struggle and the sheer, exhausting toll of the battle. He recalls this second diagnosis as the turning point — the moment he chose to act. But first, he observed. During every chemo session, Owen witnesses a ritual unfold. His mother would deliberately lace up her pink tennis shoes and pack a special, familiar blanket. These were not just items; they were a safe harbor amid reality.
“I saw that every chemo session, she would bring comfort items, always wear pink shoes to symbolize what she was going through,” Owen reflected. “I wanted to do something that could help, not just her, but other people.”
Comfort matters when you are fighting for your life, and the people around you need a tangible way to show they care. The idea for CancerKicks was born in that observation.
However, while Owen recognized the immense power of personalized comfort items, he also wanted to raise money for breast cancer research. He envisioned a source where every product sold served a dual purpose — a “double good.”
“A give back as well as a support for the person going through chemo,” he explained.
This led to the mission statement that now drives his 501(c)(3) nonprofit: “Your Purchase. Their Comfort. Our Cure.” Every purchase of a personalized pair of shoes or slides, a blanket, and other products delivers comfort to breast cancer patients and their family members while also directing 100 percent of the profits to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
There is, though, the tedious truth to translating that powerful idea into a sophisticated, legally compliant operation. It demanded more than heart for Owen; it required relentless stamina. Owen found his life partially consumed by the less glamorous work toward entrepreneurship, and it demanded balance.
In high school, Owen drew a hard line on academics but admitted the mission to secure nonprofit status for his business model, which forced a serious prioritization of time to navigate the bureaucratic maze of establishing a tax-exempt organization. “I would never want to have to go through that again,” he confessed.
His mother, who was his initial inspiration, stepped into the role of co-pilot, helping him navigate the complex forms and make corrections over many months, eventually securing registration about a year and a half ago, aided by pro bono legal assistance, according to Owen.
Today, Owen manages a sophisticated, functioning business. He handles product sourcing and custom production, manages the website, and uses Instagram and Etsy for marketing and community building around his mission.
The personalized aspect, allowing purchasers to tailor a blanket, shoes, whatever, is what sets the Cancer Kicks products apart, providing a tangible way for supporters to ensure a patient knows they are special to someone and not fighting alone. And Owens' first supporter is still his best collaborator.
Owen said his mother, thrilled with the mission and the dedication of funds to breast cancer research, serves as his primary product tester. “She was my test mule for products, trying them on,” Owen said, noting that she also helps with design choices.
With high school graduation and college visible on the horizon, Owen, a junior, is planning ahead for Cancer Kicks’ longevity. He has his eyes on his younger brother to carry on the business, ensuring the legacy of personalized comfort and fundraising continues and securing his goal: to provide comfort to cancer fighters and fund research to find a cure. The young entrepreneur has proven that the greatest comfort in the face of fear is often the decision to act.
“The amount that we've donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation is about $2,800 plus around another $1,000 coming in the next few weeks as it clears the systems.” Owen announced on Nov. 3. Shop and help find a cure at https://www.cancerkicks.org/.
Owen's Five Steps to Founding a Nonprofit Corporation
Owen Singer's journey points to the greatest comfort in the face of uncertainty is not inertia. As a 16-year-old managing a fully operational 501(c)(3), he offers five foundational steps for entrepreneurs of any age who hope to turn inspiration into impact.
Refine Your Core Idea: "It can't just be something a lot of people already do. When I looked around, there were a ton of people doing cancer support, but it was unclear if they were for profit, customizable, or all that.” Make your concept clear and distinct.
Navigate the Legal Process: The legal process is the toughest part, but it's non-negotiable. "You have to go through the entire legal process to secure your tax-exempt status. Get professional help if you can."
Establish Your Product/Service Model: This is the stage for designing products or setting up your service, whatever you’re trying to do.
Manage Sourcing and Inventory: This step involves the daily grind of production, ensuring you can deliver on your promises efficiently once orders start coming in. Focus on Spreading the Idea:
Finally, you have to get the word out, “posting and spreading your message.” That is how to build a community support around your mission.