A Carrollton High School student is making strides to help fund cancer research with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Zeke Ussery, a junior at CHS, was admitted to CHOA when he was just 12 years old after a virus invaded his liver, spleen and bone marrow. Eventually, he was unable to produce blood cells.

Ussery was diagnosed with Viral Hepatitis Induced Aplastic Anemia and placed in a year-long immunosuppressant treatment that restarted his entire immune system. In 2019, he began the final stages of treatment completion.

After overcoming his illness, Zeke wanted to give back to CHOA. Through Saucony sneaker brand’s “Run For Good” Children’s Program, he was able to do just that.

Saucony developed four limited-edition sneaker collections, helping its “Run For Good” Children's Program in raising money for children’s hospitals or their designated charity. Each shoe within the collection takes design inspiration from the hospitals’ young patients, conveying their personal stories.

“I honestly did not know that my experience with my sickness would give me the opportunity to design a shoe for the Saucony shoe company,” said Ussery. “But when I found out about it, I couldn’t pass up the chance. I was excited to make my own shoe, or at least inspire one, and I think that it can show others that good can come from bad events and experiences.”

Saucony pledged to donate 20 percent to the children’s hospitals or their designated charity, collectively with a minimum donation of $200,000.

Ussery said designing the sneaker is an experience he will never forget.

“The design process and ultimate result were incredible,” said Ussery. “Saucony asked me some personal questions that helped them to understand who I was and what I liked to do. Then, they took those responses and put them into a shoe design.”

Ussery’s mother, Kim, said she was happy her son could participate in the project.

“This was such a cool experience for Zeke,” she said. “He was able to be at the launch party, meet people, sign autographs and help sell shoes! I feel like it was his way of giving back to CHOA, and we really couldn't have done it without the support of our family and community.”