I was a pediatric leukemia nurse care manager for six years before becoming the mom of a dragonfly myself. No amount of knowledge or experience can prepare you for the words, “your child has cancer”. Our daughter, Isla, was diagnosed with high risk Acute lymphoblastic leukemia at 20 months old. My coworkers and friends took on a new role in …
In this episode, dragonfly parents, Stacy and Adam, reflect on the impact cancer and The Dragonfly Foundation have had on their family after their young daughter Kylie was diagnosed. They also share stories of the support they received from the community, their children’s school, and others. Dragonfly has been with them from the beginning, starting with a bag of essentials …
In this podcast, Dragonfly mom, Aimee, shares what happened after they moved to Cincinnati, OH in the hope of finding a cure for her teen-aged son Ian’s health issues. After being misinformed by doctors in her former town, a Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center endocrinologist diagnosed Ian with a rare form of cancer: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). This form of cancer …
Six years ago, Johanne’s young son was rushed to the hospital with a kidney cancer. Unprepared for the news and from that point forward, Johanne found comfort in The Dragonfly Foundation. While every family affected by cancer has a unique story and circumstance, Johanne found a welcoming, understanding community among Dragonfly families. She describes procedures and how that made her feel like …
This episode of The Dragonfly Effect podcast focuses on how Dragonfly provides emotional, relational and practical support for its families in critical times during and after treatment. Devon shares how Dragonfly supported her family in a way no one else could, becoming a beacon of light in dark times while her family struggled with isolation and financial pressure throughout her son’s cancer treatment. She also describes ongoing challenges related to recovery and survivorship.
“We were completely shocked and overwhelmed after Kenzie’s cancer diagnosis. The Dragonfly Foundation gave us things I would have never thought we needed (notebooks, pens, earplugs, laundry detergent, toothbrush, toothpaste, mints, and more). Dragonfly would also show up with supplies for the parent lounges, toys/gifts, tickets to movies and events, etc. They always made you feel special and made sure …
“I cannot thank you enough for the opportunity for the Christmas shop today! We have been struggling so much and our furnace motor blew last night, so Christmas for our 4 kids was only going to be from family. However, thanks to (Dragonfly) and you, we were able to get some toys, games, hats and shirts for all of our …
Recently, a Dragonfly mom named Lauren Young wrote a thank you letter to The Dragonfly Foundation… It touched our hearts so much that we asked if she would be willing film a testimonial video for us. Lauren, working closely with our friends at ChiliDog Pictures (and with the help of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center), went the extra mile and recreated her/her family’s experience as Dragonflies. …
An Open Thank You Letter To: Dragonfly co-founders, Ria and Christine, and our friends at The Dragonfly Foundation, This email has been a long time coming. You may need tissues by the time I am finished. I don’t even know where to begin. All I do know is you were the light and continue to be in the darkest time …
A Dragonfly Caregiver wrote this about her family’s experience with Dragonfly… in 2014 and today: January 24, 2017: “I wrote this years back when Y was in treatment and I didn’t know what to do or were to turn and I felt so alone even though I had my wonderful husband and mother in law a very few family members …
