PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A Rhode Island teenager with a heart as big as his dedication to sports has spent years growing his hair, only to cut it all off for a noble cause: helping sick children in need.
Emilio Santana, 14, a ninth-grader at St. Raphael Academy, began growing his hair out when he was just in third grade. Now a state champion wrestler, Santana’s motivation to grow his locks came from a powerful encounter with a stranger years ago.
“I saw this little girl at the beach. She took her hat off, and with it, her hair came off too. You could see how sad and embarrassed she felt, and it just stuck with me,” Emilio recalled.
That moment inspired Emilio to take action. From that day forward, he was determined to grow his hair long enough to donate it to help children who lose their hair due to illness.
A Personal Mission of Kindness
For Emilio, growing out his hair was more than a style choice. It was a personal mission that required patience and resilience. His determination to make a difference never wavered, even when the journey came with challenges.
“Knowing how much my hair could bring joy to someone else made it worth all the effort,” he said.
Despite managing the extra work that came with his long hair — such as braiding it or tying it into a bun during wrestling matches — Emilio faced occasional comments from others. Remarks like “boys shouldn’t have long hair” could have been discouraging, but the young wrestler kept his focus on his goal.
“I knew that if my hair could make someone else smile and feel better, it didn’t matter what people said,” Emilio explained.
A Champion On and Off the Mat
Emilio’s commitment didn’t go unnoticed by his wrestling coach, David Gonzalez, who praised the teen’s drive both in sports and in his selfless act of kindness.
“Seeing someone so young with a goal like that is just incredible,” Gonzalez said. “When he decides to do something, you know he’s going to see it through.”
Recently, Emilio decided the time had come to cut his hair. After years of dedication, his hair had grown to an impressive two feet in length.
Though the haircut was an emotional moment, Emilio remained focused on the bigger picture.
“I shed a few tears, but I knew this was for a good reason, and that it would make someone happy,” he said.
A Generous Donation to “Hair We Share”
Emilio donated his hair to “Hair We Share,” a nonprofit organization that creates wigs for children dealing with hair loss. What’s more, he’s going the extra mile by organizing a fundraiser to cover the cost of making a wig, which can run between $900 and $1,350.
“Some places charge for the wigs, but I want the person who gets my hair to receive it for free,” Emilio explained. “I’m putting my all into this because it’s my hair, and I want to make sure it brings someone joy.”
A Heartfelt Message to the Recipient
Emilio hopes that his gesture not only provides someone with a beautiful wig but also uplifts them emotionally. His message to the future recipient of his hair is one of compassion and encouragement.
“To the person receiving my hair: you’re beautiful either way – with hair or without. I hope my hair brings you happiness and makes you smile,” he said.
Although Emilio is still getting used to his new buzz cut, he embraces the change with a positive attitude, knowing that his kindness has made a meaningful impact.
