Holly Wright

Executive Director of The Payton Wright Foundation

It’s an amazing thing when something beautiful is made in honor of a horrific tragedy. In 2007, Holly and Patrick Wright lost their five-year-old daughter Payton to brain cancer. To honor her courage and to make an impact for others going through similar circumstances, they began The Payton Wright Foundation. 

Holly and Patrick saw how courageously their daughter fought until the end, and they promised her that they would never stop fighting. After initially wanting to go the research route, they were convinced by Payton’s doctor at All Children’s to focus on helping families be there for their child and let the research fundraising be done by others. They are close friends with Dick Vitale, who was personally invested in Payton’s life, and who has raised over $90 million for The V Foundation for pediatric cancer research because of their relationship. 

Today, the foundation exists to financially help families of children who are being treated for brain cancer. They work with hospitals around the country to pay rent, mortgage, car payments, and any other bills so the families can focus on being with their child. 

As Executive Director of the foundation, Holly is the one that physically gets in touch with the necessary parties to pay these bills directly to the companies. She handles all of the bookkeeping, and will disperse over $400,000 in just 2024 alone. 

The foundation also works with various companies and hospitals to deliver toys and other items of care through the Payton’s Angels Program. As Payton bravely battled through chemotherapy and radiation treatments in 2006, Holly lovingly gave her a small silver frog to carry in her pocket as a powerful symbol of hope and strength. Payton’s deep affection for frogs has transformed them into a meaningful emblem of her life and the foundation she champions.

Text by Tom Reese | Photo by Nancy Guth

P.O. Box 51693; Sarasota, FL 34232
(941) 228-4886
holly@paytonwright.org
paytonwright.org