FERGUS FALLS, Minn. — A Fergus Falls teenager is leading the pack in a national contest for young entrepreneurs.
Isaiah Lawson is using his experience battling cancer to now help others with a unique invention called ZAYAZ Jammies.
More than 10 years ago, Isaiah was a smiley kid going through a storm. A brutal cancer diagnosis — but he battled through and today he’s still the same amazing, smiley kid. But he’s now 17, a high school senior and a standout athlete in Fergus Falls.
“It was a character building thing, I am glad it happened to me. I wouldn’t be who I am if it didn’t happen to me,” Isaiah said of his cancer.
And he’s also an inventor.
“That’s why I had the tubes here for an example, that is where the Hickman line goes,” Isaiah said holding a sample of his ZAYAZ Jammies.
“There are zippers everywhere, I am in the prototype phase,” Isaiah continued as he talked about the special garment, designed for children battling cancer or other illnesses. “Zipper here in the stomach for a feeding tube like I had. They called it a Mickey button.”
Isaiah is leading a national contest called “Entrepreneur of Impact.” Daymond John of the popular “Shark Tank” television show sponsors the contest.
Isaiah’s experience as a toddler going through cancer led to this: “This is ZAYAZ Jammies,” Isaiah says in a promotional video for the contest.
A garment with zippers and velcro — multiple access points for medical staff, for wires and tubes.
“You can open it from the bottom and from the top and you can open it from the wrist or shoulder area,” Isaiah said.
More privacy and comfort for the young patient.
“I am so proud of this, it makes me feel good that I am able to make something that makes someone’s life easier, to give that next Isaiah that sense of comfort they always wanted,” Isaiah said.
People can go
and vote for Isaiah and his invention. As of Tuesday night, April 14, he’s No. 1.
“I love that I was able to do what I love doing, I love making things,” Isaiah said.
Isaiah Lawson’s invention, ZAYAZ Jammies, features multiple access points for medical care and is competing in the Entrepreneur of Impact contest.
Contributed
Isaiah has long been a champion for others.
WDAY News has followed him for years
, a caring, thoughtful cancer survivor who, during his illness, cared for those fellow cancer fighters around him. Some didn’t survive. But now, Isaiah is once again stepping up as his journey of compassion continues.
“Was cancer a terrible thing to happen? Yes, it was. But it shaped who I am today,” Isaiah said.
If he wins, Isaiah will receive a corporate mentorship and a $25,000 scholarship that he said he would put towards his business and manufacturing.
To vote for Isaiah:
https://entrepreneurofimpact.org/2026/isaiah-lawson
Kevin Wallevand has been a reporter at WDAY-TV since 1983. He is a native of Vining, Minnesota in Otter Tail County. His series and documentary work have brought him to Africa, Vietnam, Haiti, Kosovo, South America, Mongolia, Juarez,Mexico and the Middle East. He is an multiple Emmy and national Edward R. Murrow award recipient.
Reach Kevin at kwallevand@wday.com or 701-241-5317