Headbands of Hope is an organization with a mission to end childhood cancer and spread hope to children who are going through chemotherapy and have lost their hair, all through fashionable hair accessories.

Since April of 2012, HOH has donated headbands to every children’s hospital in the United States. The organization provides positive self-identity to young girls and boys who feel like they have lost their own.

For every headband sold, a headband is given to a child with cancer and $1 is donated to fund childhood cancer research. Along with the donation, a child fighting cancer receives a headband that is hand delivered by a student involved with the organization.

We want to be those students.

HOH partners with four childhood cancer research organizations, including St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, St. Baldrick’s Foundation, Alex’s Lemonade Stand and Cure Childhood Cancer.

HOH also has what we call the Hope Market.

Every month the company partners with another childhood cancer organization and donates a portion of profits to that organization.

Some students may be familiar with Love Your Melon. In October, the organization was a part of the HOH’s Hope Market.

Fellow students Emma King, Liz Delong and myself are in the process of bringing HOH to campus.

Last month we applied to be ambassadors and were accepted. Afterwards we each received a promotional code to track headband sales.

When four purchases are made with each of our codes, we become official ambassadors and can officially bring the organization to campus.

I had the idea of applying to be an ambassador after following HOH on social media. When I saw that they were looking for college girls to spread their mission on campus, I convinced my friends to apply with me.

Ever since I joined Dance Marathon, a philanthropy dedicated to supporting childhood cancer patients being treated at The University of Iowa Children’s Hospital, I have seen firsthand how strong and inspirational children fighting cancer are.

They are stronger and braver than I could ever be. I believe we owe it to them to get involved and give back.

Emma King, an elementary education major, wants to get involved with HOH because she says children are the future of the world. She believes in the importance of raising awareness for how common childhood cancer is so kids and their families can receive the help they need.

Liz Delong, also an elementary education major, said she hopes to be an ambassador for HOH because even though she hasn’t been personally impacted by cancer it lets the children know that there are people who are thinking about them.

Through this organization they will know they aren’t alone in their battle.

The three of us were given our own promo codes to track their sales and reach their goal.

Mine is feehope, Liz’s is delonghope and Emma’s is emmahope.

By purchasing, you support us in bringing the organization to campus.

HOH has a variety of headbands for boys and girls that can be purchased at www.headbandsofhope.com.

The deadline to use the promotional codes is Jan. 18. 

Kay Fee is a political science and international relations major and art history minor.