TYLER, Texas — An East Texas woman is helping young girls facing cancer and other medical challenges feel more confident through free, personalized headbands she creates through her project, Headbands for Little Heroes.
Four-year-old Evie Jordan received one of the headband sets after doctors diagnosed her with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2025.
Evie’s mother, Lani Jordan, said the diagnosis brought uncertainty as the family began navigating chemotherapy, medication, physical therapy and frequent medical appointments.
One of the most difficult changes for Evie involved losing her hair.
“It was that visual confirmation that something was wrong and that she was going through those chemo treatments,” Lani said.
Chelsye Camus launched Headbands for Little Heroes in 2020 after seeing social media posts about a girl named Lula who was battling cancer. Camus, who already made headbands, contacted Lula’s family and created personalized pieces for her.
A thank-you video from Lula inspired Camus to continue the project.
“I didn’t realize how many little kids there were,” Camus said. “Now I know of hundreds, almost thousands now. There are so many.”
Camus customizes the headbands with details that reflect each child’s personality and interests, including favorite colors, names, holidays, faith and other meaningful themes.
Lani said the headbands gave Evie a way to feel more like herself after losing her hair. Evie sometimes worried that people might mistake her for a boy.
“Chelsye’s given these little girls a chance to feel beautiful and to feel like themselves again,” Lani said.
Camus said she understands that the headbands cannot change a child’s diagnosis, but she hopes they can provide moments of happiness during treatment.
“Even when they’re battling so hard, they’re still little girls that want to feel beautiful, want to look beautiful,” Camus said.
Camus now sends four headbands to each girl, including floral and bow designs, and continues creating custom pieces throughout their cancer journeys.
She also makes headbands for babies in neonatal intensive care units, babies born sleeping and medically complex girls. She hopes to eventually expand the project to include boys.
Camus considers the children she serves the real heroes.
“They’re still smiling and getting up and trying to play and live a normal life — that’s a hero to me,” Camus said.
September marks Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and Camus hopes Headbands for Little Heroes continues helping children and families feel supported during cancer treatment.
“I just really hope it brings them, lets them feel loved and confident, and like there are people out there who care about them,” Camus said.
For Evie and her family, the personalized headbands offer a reminder that cancer treatment does not have to take away every part of childhood.
