One Good Deed Leads to Another

| Hair Matters | Client Stories

Liz Gaudet had just started her second year in college when the devastating news arrived: her best friend, Kieli, had cancer. Liz was 19, Kieli just 18.

Overnight, Kieli was plunged into a completely foreign, terrifying world. While Kieli, a vibrant, honor society student who had just graduated high school, began aggressive treatment for stage 4 anaplastic large cell lymphoma, Liz wasted no time identifying ways to help.

Kieli Dixon in 2017, experimenting with colorful wigs at Hair Matters.

From donating a percentage of the sales from her Etsy shop, to participating in the Dempsey Challenge, to connecting her with Hair Matters, Liz poured heart and soul into supporting her friend. It proved to be a short-lived effort. Around a year after her diagnosis, on Nov. 3, 2018, Kieli passed away.

Liz may have lost her cherished friend, but she gained a new raison d’étre—upholding Kieli’s legacy.

Never give up, no matter how hard things get.

“She was always radiating joy, even when she was going through some of the most unbelievable treatments,” Liz said of Kieli. “Even when she was in the hospital getting chemo, it’s the message she gave me: keep going, keep fighting, and be positive through it all. Because the goodness in the world, it’s still there. Even though you’re struggling, it’s still there.”

Today, one of the many ways Liz channels that message is through her volunteer work with Hair Matters.

Liz has played a key role in establishing Hair Matters’ new online shop. Her artful eye, attention to detail, and expertise with web-based tools have given Hair Matters an array of beautiful merchandise. Sales will support the many programs Hair Matters offers its clients.

“It’s healing knowing that in some small way I’m making a difference in the bigger picture,” she said. “I get a feeling of accomplishment and helping others.”

Liz Gaudet volunteers for Hair Matters in a continuing effort to honor her friend Kieli.

Liz has known Hair Matters founder Debby Porter all her life, and it was their friendship that brought Kieli to Hair Matters. Debby helped Kieli shave her head and then fitted her with a wig. “I remember getting Snapchats from Kieli,” Liz said. “There were pictures of her and Debby and this neon purple wig. She was having so much fun, laughing and just having a great time.”

That memory is one of several that brings a smile to Liz’s face. Another stems from her push to raise money to offset Kieli’s medical expenses. Twice during Kieli’s ordeal, Liz donated a percentage of the proceeds from the sales from her Etsy business to Kieli’s GoFundMe site.

One day, Liz saw a Twitter post from model and TV personality Chrissy Teigen, who tweeted about a recent Etsy purchase. Determined to raise as much money as possible, Liz responded to the tweet, explaining her shop and her fundraising mission. In return, Chrissy Teigen purchased two of Liz’s products—and responded to Liz’s tweet, which led to an “unbelievable amount of orders from Chrissy’s followers,” Liz said.

“I FaceTimed Kieli immediately after seeing Chrissy’s purchase, and neither of us could believe it. We were both star-struck and unbelievably grateful,” Liz said. “I still am.”

Liz has found much to be grateful for, even in the wake of her friend’s death. Knowing Kieli was an honor, said Liz, who described her friend as “radiant, kind, caring, genuine, compassionate,” and someone who “strove to ‘do something amazing every day.’”

Helping others brings one deep satisfaction, Liz has learned. And no kind gesture, Kieli taught her, is too small.

“I definitely try to embody a lot of her characteristics. Staying positive, seeing the glass half full, and rather than dwelling on the bad things,” Liz said, “focusing on the good.”

One Comment

  1. Jennifer Zinn

    on 26 May 2021 at 11:24 am

    Liz is an Angel here on earth!

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Resources

Client Stories

“You are B-E...

Patrick D. donated more than his hair: he also left a heartfelt

News

100+ WWC Supports...

Hair Matters selected as recipient charity in November 2019.

Client Stories

A donation—at...

Hazel Pine was right where she wanted to be: donating her hair

News

Become an Angel

Your gift enables us to provide critical care to those unable to

Resources

Chemo & Hair...

Understand the process of hair loss due to chemotherapy.

Client Stories

Donating Gray Hair

“Let’s talk about hair. Glorious silky gray. Many a woman of advanced

Press

Early Media...

NewsCenter Maine reported on Hair Matters shortly after it was formed.

Client Stories

Grief and...

In the midst of grief, Gary L. found a way to express

Press

Hair Donations Up...

WGME-13 reported that more Mainers are donating their hair during the pandemic

News

Honoring our Hat...

One stitch at a time, fiber artists Sandi Lavoie and Marilyn Sinskie painstakingly

Press

Interview with...

Wellness expert Lynda Adams talks with Debby Porter for her podcast Living

Press

Losing my locks...

The "Maine Millennial" writes about her hair donation.

Client Stories

One Good Deed...

Liz Gaudet, a Hair Matters volunteer, upholds the legacy of her friend:

Press

One of 20...

On Oct. 16, 2018, Hair Matters Founder Debby Porter was named a

Resources

Opportunity to do...

Hair donations are up, reports the Washington Post.

Press

Peace of mind

Hair Matters offers avenue for women who face hair loss to build

Press

Salt Institute...

Listen to how Hair Matters found a solution for Amelia Eujania Fennelly's

Events

Sharon Strong...

Join us in support of Sharon, Hair Matters, and others affected by

Resources

Six Facts about...

Helpful information about the causes of hair loss and how to manage

Press

Social worker....

Health writer Diane Atwood explains Debby Porter's trifecta of traits.

News

Teamwork!

Members of the Wells High School field hockey team make hair donation.

Resources

Testimonial Video

Press

WGME-13 Covers...

WGME-13 in Portland traveled to Standish to cover the Sharon Strong Fundraiser

Resources

Wig care...

Start by detangling the hair on your wig. Gently comb or “pick” from

Press

WPOR’s &...

Portland’s country radio station, WPOR, featured Hair Matters as their “Feel Good

We want to hear from you!

If you have questions about our organization or are interested in partnering with us, please fill out our contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you!