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After watching his mother carry pink tennis shoes and a familiar blanket to chemotherapy, 16-year-old Owen Singer decided to help other patients find the same sense of comfort.
The Langley High School student created Cancer Kicks, a 501©(3) nonprofit selling personalized shoes, slides, blankets and other items for breast cancer patients and their families. All profits go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Owen’s mother was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019, when he was 10. His family initially shielded him and his younger brother from much of the emotional strain surrounding her chemotherapy and other treatments.
When the cancer returned in 2023, Owen was old enough to recognize the toll it was taking. He noticed that his mother consistently brought comforting items to chemotherapy and wore pink shoes symbolizing what she was facing.
“I wanted to do something that could help, not just her, but other people,” Owen said.
That observation became the foundation for Cancer Kicks. Owen wanted each purchase to provide a patient with something personal while also raising money for research—a combination he described as a “double good.”
The nonprofit operates under the mission statement, “Your Purchase. Their Comfort. Our Cure.”
Building the organization
Turning the idea into a legally compliant nonprofit required months of paperwork, corrections and careful time management. Owen protected his academic responsibilities but often sacrificed time with friends, sports, video games and other activities.
“The work isn’t just a hobby; it’s a demanding job,” he said. “You prioritize at some point.”
His mother helped him navigate the application process, and the family also received pro bono legal assistance. Owen said Cancer Kicks secured its nonprofit registration roughly a year and a half before the article’s account.
“I would never want to have to go through that again,” he said of obtaining tax-exempt status.
Owen now handles product sourcing, customization and the organization’s website. He also promotes the nonprofit and builds its community through Instagram and Etsy.
Personalization is central to the business. Customers can customize items for individual patients, giving supporters a tangible way to remind loved ones that they are not facing treatment alone.
Owen’s mother remains closely involved as his main product tester and helps make design decisions.
“She was my test mule for products, trying them on,” Owen said.
Planning beyond high school
Owen, a member of Langley High School’s class of 2026, is also considering how Cancer Kicks can continue when he leaves for college. He hopes his younger brother may eventually help carry the organization forward.
As of Nov. 3, Owen said Cancer Kicks had donated about $2,800 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, with approximately another $1,000 expected to clear within several weeks.
Owen’s five lessons for nonprofit founders
Drawing from his experience, Owen identified five basic steps for people hoping to start nonprofit organizations:
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Develop a distinct idea. Founders should understand how their concept differs from organizations already doing similar work.
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Complete the legal process. Securing tax-exempt status is difficult but essential, Owen said, and professional assistance can help.
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Create the product or service model. The organization needs a clear plan for what it will provide and how it will operate.
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Manage sourcing and inventory. Founders must be prepared to produce and deliver what they promise once orders arrive.
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Spread the message. Consistent outreach and promotion are necessary to attract supporters and build a community around the mission.