The Dragonfly Foundation

There is nothing more uplifting and surprising then seeing the joyful smile on a child’s face when he or she is in the midst of the heart-wrenching period of getting diagnosed and then treated for their cancer. Impossible? Not when the Dragonfly Foundation gets involved.

The Dragonfly Foundation provides distractions from the emotional, physical and financial toll of cancer and bone marrow transplants. They establish connections at a time when patients, siblings and caregivers feel the most alone and isolated. Through their efforts, numerous Dragonflies have been distracted from the physical and emotional pain of treatment, as well as the post-traumatic stress associated with the diagnosis of a serious illness.

The Foundation was co-founded by, Christine Neitzke and Ria Davidson, close friends for more than 20 years. Both of their families have been devastated by cancer. In 2010, Christine's son, Matt, had Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Ria's mother-in-law, who lived with Ria's family, passed away 6-months after her diagnosis of brain and lung cancer.

During the course of Matt’s long and challenging treatment, Christine and Ria realized that the outpouring of love and support that Matt experienced, because of his family and friends’ network, was not the norm for other patients. From that came an idea generated by their personal pain and generosity of spirit - The Dragonfly Foundation.

Why are they called The DRAGONFLY Foundation? In selecting an object to represent their mission, they turned to the dragonfly, a small insect that flies extremely fast. The dragonfly exemplifies the virtues of living life to the fullest by being a symbol of strength, survival and victory! After all, the dragonfly has been around for over 300 million years. With time of the essence, The Dragonfly Foundation acts quickly to bring comfort and joy to children and young adults living with, and sometimes dying of, cancer and blood diseases (requiring bone marrow transplants).

Taking care of a child or teen with cancer is daunting and resource intensive. Think about how difficult it is for a parent or caregiver, with other children or employment responsibilities to remain with a hospitalized child. The Dragonfly Foundation recognizes that patients, siblings/offspring and parents/caregivers experience isolation, loneliness, fear and anxiety related to the diagnosis and the physical, emotional, and financial costs of treatment. While only one person in the family actually receives treatment all are affected. That’s why the Dragonfly Foundation began its C.A.R.E. (Caring, Community and Awareness that Results in Emotional health) program. Through that program, families are a part of events tailored to the special needs of children with a high risk of infection. With that sometimes, they can attend events in donated private boxes or suites, or other venues. Families can come together and have a brief respite of the reality that fills their days.

A friend of the Foundation said: “I was with the Dragonfly Foundation when they began. The need was obvious, as I had just been through a very harrowing experience when my granddaughter almost died before getting treated for her leukemia. Her experience demonstrated to me, a health care professional, how important it is to treat the spirit and not only the disease. Wish The Dragonfly Foundation had been there for us.”

PROGRAMS OFFERED INCLUDE:

“Gifts” for the Hospital, Patients and Families/Caregivers
-- Distractions (toys, electronics, video games and more) and gifts provided directly to the hospital (for inventory replenishment) and to patients, both in- and out-patient
-- New Diagnosis/Extended Stay CARE Packages [bags include personal care items, office (file folder, pens, dry erase board, etc.) and laundry supplies, a hospital in-room meal card and our tips book.]
-- I Am Still Me(TM) Hair Loss CARE Packages to help young patients take ownership of their bodies and to help them protect their identity.

Psycho-social Events and Entertainment
-- 3-5+ Patient/Family Events PER WEEK on average
-- Suite at US Bank Arena though 2013
-- Events using donated tickets and suites at various venues (Suites are especially important to our kids with compromised immune systems)
-- Dragonfly-sponsored events, such as our Picnic and Kings Island Day
-- Spa Days & Horseback Riding Days
-- Day Camp Opportunities
-- Celebrity Recruitment for Meet & Greets at Events, at The Landing, and at Cincinnati Children’s
-- Parents-Only and Young Adult-Only Events

Emotional Health, Awareness and Support Programs
--The Landing: A 6,000 sq. ft. clubhouse for patients and families (“Every Dragonfly Needs A Place To Land”) – a great place for our families to connect with one another
-- "I'm Still Me"® Hair Loss Care Public Awareness Programs
-- Funding of the Beads of Courage®
-- Funding of Sky Panels®, florescent light covers that look like skylights
-- Published a book of patient care tips and practical advice (“Parents to Parents”)
-- Laptop Program (Donated 26 to date) to help patients remain connected
-- Holiday Help (where supporters can “adopt” families during the holidays, deadine to apply to help or benefit is October 15th)
-- Connections with supporters and other organizations

The Dragonfly Difference
The Dragonfly Foundation holds a unique place in the landscape of non-profit organizations focused on pediatric cancer. This is The Dragonfly Difference:

• We support patients from birth to age 30, from their date of diagnosis until they are 5-years free of their disease
• We provide multiple, ongoing event opportunities, as well as provide distractions, gifts and entertainment for the patient and their family. The patients, as well as their siblings and parents/caregivers experience isolation, loneliness, fear and anxiety related to the diagnosis and treatment. While only one person is receiving treatment, all affected benefit from our C.A.R.E. as we define it (Caring, Community and Awareness that Results in better Emotional Health).
• In many cases, the fundamental needs of a family are left to one organization and quality of life support to another. TDF is there to provide comprehensive C.A.R.E.

For more information, please visit www.Dragonfly.org.