CHAPEL HILL, N.C.  -- It's a sight you don't expect to see in a hospital: smiles, laughter, kids just being kids. All of this started six years ago, with something as simple as a headband.

For every item sold, 'Headbands of Hope' donates one to a child battling cancer. Jess Ekstrom was just a college student at N.C. State when the idea sparked. It was during an internship with Make-A-Wish when she noticed many girls receiving treatment preferred wearing headbands instead of wigs.

"I thought it was so beautiful that they wanted to not hide their experience, but just embrace it and restore their self-confidence with fashionable accessories," Ekstrom said.

Since she got started, the organization has donated headbands to every children's hospital in the country.

Jess and a group of volunteers with PSI Clinical Research Organziation visited UNC Children's Hospital, helping sick children make stylish headbands of their own.

"It keeps me distracted from the pain," said patient, Cindy Ngee. "It helps me to stay moving and focused on one thing. It's better than laying in bed and only focusing on pain when there is nothing else to do."

"When people like Jess come in and bring activities, the kids get to be normal kids and do fun things," said UNC Hospital School Principal, Marny Ruben. "I think it takes their mind off of what's going on. I think it's really helpful for the families too. It provides normalcy for kids."

While the fun crafts help these children feel normal, Jess knows, they were born to stand out. That's what the headbands are all about.

"The fact that one simple accessory can do that for someone," Ekstrom said. "Make them feel good about themselves when they look in the mirror. I just think that shows that small gestures can have a big impact."

For this event, PSI CRO donated 200 headbands to UNC Children's Hospital and volunteered to help Jess on her mission. The company is partnering with 'Headbands of Hope' to work with other hospitals for similar events in San Francisco and Philadelphia.

If you know an 'Everyday Hero', we want to hear about them! You can nominate someone by emailing us at everydayheroes@charter.com.