Over the past decade, The Dragonfly Foundation has helped more than 5,800 people through the cancer journey. In late February, the organization celebrated its 10-year anniversary with a Grand Gala where 20 families were honored. During the event, the families stood together at center stage and told their stories of how Dragonfly has built a community of support around them.
The Grand Gala welcomed over 500 guests with a cocktail hour, including a live music performance, silent auction, photo booth, penguin encounter, caricature artist and more. Dr. John Perentesis from Children’s Hospital also attended the event, and he spoke about the hospital’s successful partnership with Dragonfly.
Dragonfly got its start when Christine and Jim Neitzke’s youngest son, Matt, was diagnosed with Stage 3A Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at Children’s Hospital. During that difficult time, the Neitzkes were fortunate to have a support system of family and friends, and they wanted to provide that same support to other families.
“We have created this beautiful Dragonfly extended family of patients and family,” Christine says.
Looking back over the past 10 years, Dragonfly celebrates its many successes, including the growing network of patients and families as well as a new, permanent location close to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. This proximity offers families quick and easy access to the support they need.
When families partner with Dragonfly, they know they’re becoming part of a community that provides emotional, relational and practical support during a time of need. Dragonfly’s services include weekly events, resource books, hospital care bags and so much more. People travel from all over the world to get treatment at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, and as the hospital continues to grow, so will the need for Dragonfly’s programs and support services.
Dragonfly’s 10th Anniversary Grand Gala nearly $300,000 raised to help expand its network of families and support throughout the decades to come.
The Dragonfly Foundation is located at 506 Oak St., Cincinnati, OH 45219. For more information, call 513.494.6474 or visit www.dragonfly.org.