College Park HS Sophomore Donates Hair to Help Children in Need

13-year-old fulfills years-long goal to support kids with medical hair loss

Thursday, July 17, 2025 9:06pm

Student Spotlight

The Woodlands, TX — After six years of dedication, College Park High School rising sophomore Sathini Amaratunga has fulfilled a personal promise she made in second grade: to donate her hair to support children experiencing medical hair loss.

Sathini, 13, recently donated her long, untreated hair to Children With Hair Loss, a nonprofit organization that provides free wigs to children who lose their hair due to medical conditions such as cancer or alopecia.

The decision, according to Sathini, was inspired by a simple question when she was seven years old. “I wondered why people donated hair,” she said. That curiosity led her to research the topic, where she learned that many children face hair loss during treatment and that wigs made from donated hair help restore their confidence.

Donating long, healthy hair requires time and intentional care. For years, Sathini avoided chemical treatments, coloring, and excessive styling to preserve the health of her hair. “I only used natural hair products and didn’t cut or layer it,” she said. Her efforts resulted in several feet of strong, healthy hair long enough to be used in multiple wigs.

Throughout those six years, she never lost sight of her goal. “Every time I brushed or washed my hair, I thought about the child who would wear it one day,” Sathini said.

The moment she made the donation was met with celebration from family, friends, and members of the community who admired her commitment. But for Sathini, the hair donation was just the beginning.

She is also the founder of the Help with Sathini Foundation, a nonprofit that supports youth-led service projects, education, and environmental protection. In addition, she shares videos on her YouTube channel, Learn with Sathini, where she encourages other young people to be curious, ask questions, and give back to their communities.

Sathini says she’s open to growing her hair out again for a future donation. “I hope this inspires other kids,” she said. “Even small things—like asking a question when you're 7 years old—can lead to something meaningful.”

By The Woodlands Student Center Staff