Dragonfly provides emotional support, quality of life care, gifts, and unique experiences to pediatric cancer patients and their families. Since 2010, Dragonfly has given thousands of patients, families, and caregivers a sense of community in a time when they need it most. Learn more about their work here!
Can you tell me about the need for your work?
We support patients and families impacted by pediatric cancer, whether it’s during or after treatment. The fight for excellence in pediatric cancer treatment is important, but no less important is the commitment we must make to support the families that strive for fulfilling and complete lives during and after treatment. Though treatment may end, and illness may be cured or managed, the long-term effects often linger for years to come. We offer families a holistic, uncompromising, fighting chance at well-being through patient and family programs in and out of the hospital.
What kind of services do you provide?
We work to enhance in-hospital quality of life programs and to help address the gap in emotional care and support of pediatric cancer patients and families. In the hospital, we provide care packages that include toiletries, laundry materials, and other items that families often don’t think to bring with them for a hospital stay. We have a variety of gifts for patients and families that are all donated to us, like toys, gift cards, tablets and laptops, and more. For patients who are well enough to leave the hospital, those in outpatient care, or those who have concluded treatment, we offer tickets and suites to sports games, concerts, and other events to help families make exciting memories in an otherwise challenging time.
Who are the patients and families you serve?
We currently work in Illinois and Ohio, and the services and programs we offer vary by hospital. Currently, we offer inpatient services at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital and The Ronald McDonald Children’s Hospital of Loyola University, and we offer both inpatient and outpatient services at the Dayton Children’s Hospital, and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Eligible patients and families submit a simple registration form through the hospital to become a Dragonfly Family. A few years ago, Dragonfly purchased a historic property in Cincinnati that we are currently restoring and renovating to use as a hub for families to receive patient and family services. It’s our goal to create a safe, nurturing ecosystem where our Dragonflies can feel comforted by the fact that they are never alone in this journey.
How can individuals get involved in your work?
Donations make an immediate, profound impact by delivering the best support systems for patients and their families. Besides donating funds, we accept donations for unused tickets and suites that we can give to families, new toys and technology, personal care items, gift cards, and raffle items. Dragonfly also has an adopt-a-family program, where generous supporters make the holidays brighter for patients and families. Supporters receive a wish list of items requested by the family and can shop for the gifts or donate funds to our program. If you’re based in Illinois or Ohio, we have a robust volunteer program to help us bring our mission to life.
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