How Love Is Bald honors one woman’s legacy by standing with families navigating cancer
The first thing you notice at a Love Is Bald event isn’t the decorations or even the purpose of the gathering—it’s the people. The way they greet each other like family. The laughter that rises from small clusters of volunteers. The unmistakable sense that everyone in the room is connected by something deeper than a charity mission.
That feeling is the heartbeat of Love Is Bald, a Wilmington nonprofit created to “Pey it forward” in honor of Peyton Dergay, a beloved friend whose life and spirit inspired a community. After Peyton passed away from cancer in 2004, her circle of friends—including founders Kelli Russell and Allen Williford—channeled their grief into something lasting: a 501(c)(3) built on compassion, remembrance, and small acts of care that make a tangible difference for individuals and families navigating cancer. Love Is Bald has since supported people throughout the Port City and beyond, offering everything from financial assistance to emotional support, always with the intention of honoring Peyton by lifting others up.
This winter, the organization will host its two pinnacle fundraising events: the annual Chili Cookoff on January 25 and the March 6 Fashion Show, where cancer survivors and those honoring loved ones lost walk the runway. Together, the events raise the funds that allow Love Is Bald to stand beside families in ways that are personal, immediate, and deeply thoughtful…