The Dragonfly Foundation (Dragonfly), a non-profit organization whose mission is providing the best support and comfort services to pediatric cancer patients and their families, is pleased to announce that University of Cincinnati Vice President of Government Relations and University Communications Gregory J. Vehr will serve as the first chair of the organization’s Board of Directors.
“Greg has been a committed and dedicated member of our Board of Trustees since 2012 and we are pleased that he has agreed to serve in this role,” said Dragonfly co-founder, Christine Neitzke, whose own son endured cancer treatments as a child. “It is a frightening situation and, from firsthand experience, we have created an organization to support families faced with this crisis.”
Vehr’s involvement with Dragonfly began in 2012. “When Cincinnati Reds baseball’s Hall of Fame announcer Marty Brennaman shaved his head on the field of Great American Ball Park, and I saw him hugging those beautiful, young Dragonfly children, I became curious about Dragonfly,” Vehr said. “After I met the Neitzke family, I was hooked. I wanted to know how I, personally, could make a difference in the lives of families suffering through the challenges of pediatric cancer.”
“Families of children and young adults enduring cancer need support, and The Dragonfly Foundation is committed to providing the programs, services, community, and experiences they need,” Vehr added. As chairman of the Board, Vehr is committed to working closely with other Board members to ensure that Dragonfly has what they need to build their programs, to sustain their mission, and to achieve their vision. “Providing the services family’s need during this challenging and stressful time in their lives is a purposeful mission that resonates for Board members.”
In addition to serving as the University of Cincinnati’s Vice President for Governmental Relations & University Communications, Vehr is a native Cincinnatian and graduate of St. Xavier High School (‘80) and Miami University (‘84). He resides in Colerain Township with his wife, Patti. They have 5 grown children and 3 grandchildren.
For more information about The Dragonfly Foundation, please visit Dragonfly.org.