It was once said, “Friends are the most important ingredient in the recipe of life.” Love Is Bald is built on that quote. This non-profit was created when friends from the Wilmington, NC area lost a very special ingredient in their friendship circle. Peyton Dergay was that special friend who, in 2004, lost her battle with cancer. A best friend is the one who brings out the best in others, and Peyton’s memory continues to do just that with Love Is Bald.
Kelli Russell, Allen Williford, and close friends knew the best way to keep her love, compassion, and friendship alive was to create an organization that gave back to others. Each year, Peyton’s friends come together to celebrate her memory through local events, which raise money for cancer patients and their families. Since the organization’s creation in 2010, Love Is Bald has helped countless families in the Port City and RDU Triangle through donations to amazing recipients such as Pink Heals Cape Fear, Steve Haydu Lo Tide Run, Lump to Laughter, Hope Abounds, and the Hoggard High School Scholarship Fund.
In starting this organization, we realized that we are no different than anyone else because cancer affects us all in some way. So, we try to keep in mind four very important things: (1) to honor Peyton Dergay, (2) to always give back, (3) to always celebrate life, and (4) to never take anything for granted.
