Payton's memory inspires business

LAKEWOOD RANCH — As Holly and Patrick Wright’s 5-year-old daughter, Payton, battled a rare form of brain cancer, the child’s favorite creature — a frog — became not only a source of comfort, but also one of hope, courage and strength.

Now, more than four years after Payton died, Holly Wright and former East County resident Dina Haugstatter — the mother of Payton’s best friend — are launching a company in Payton’s honor, Forever Frogs.

The new business will sell create-your-own backpacks and bags, with a portion of all proceeds benefiting the Payton Wright Foundation. The non-profit, established in 2008, raises awareness and funds for pediatric brain-cancer research and to assist families with children battling brain cancer.

Individuals purchasing bags select their fabric of choice for pockets, trim straps and all other parts of each bag to create something unique.

“When Payton was sick, we always filled up bags with toys and snacks and kept it by the door (in case we had to go to the hospital),” Holly Wright said. “It was almost like your purse. I thought this would be great for (any child).”

Children who wear uniforms to school can express themselves through the creation of their backpacks, while children battling cancer or other illnesses can for a moment — and every moment carrying their bags — have a sense of control as their physical condition remains uncertain, Holly Wright said.

“You can actually choose (every part) of your bag,” Holly Wright said. “For someone who has to wear uniforms all the time, it’s great because it’s unique to them.”

Each bag will be produced by hand in the United States.

“Each one is hand-sewn by a professional seamstress,” Haugstatter said. “It’s not going through an assembly line. I think that’s neat, as well.”

Each bag will feature the company’s signature frog and come with information about the Payton Wright Foundation and its mission.

Haugstatter, who now lives in North Carolina, developed an idea for a baby-related business after making many trips to visit Payton at the hospital. With a young child along for the ride — one who was in potty training — Haugstatter found she needed a different kind of car seat cover than what was available. With a background in design, Haugstatter created a new business idea.

Shortly after Payton died, Haugstatter told Holly about the company through which she hoped to start selling baby products.

“I wanted proceeds to go to the foundation,” Haugstatter said. “It meant a lot to me. I came up (with the idea while visiting Payton). If this could be something that could work, it also would be a tool to get the awareness out there.”

The women began to discuss opportunities. Holly Wright, thinking about her other daughter’s standard uniforms for school, came up with the idea to sell create-your-own backpacks.

“It just snowballed,” Wright said. “I love the whole idea.”

For information or to order a bag or backpack, visit www.foreverfrogs.com.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].