Welcome to Dragonfly Cincinnati
Welcome to Dragonfly Cincinnati
Dragonfly helps young cancer and bone marrow transplant patients and their families find strength, courage, and joy.
The Dragonfly Foundation stands beside families facing pediatric cancer, offering a holistic and uncompromising commitment to their well-being. In close partnership with hospitals—especially Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC)—Dragonfly provides critical resources and essential psychosocial, emotional, and financial support to ease the weight of diagnosis, treatment, and recovery
Dragonfly is dedicated to supporting families facing pediatric cancer by building a strong, connected network that links them to one another and to the broader community. Through thoughtfully designed programs, events, activities, and meaningful gifts, Dragonfly aims to bring an improved quality of life to those in need. Whether it’s a child undergoing treatment or a family navigating life after cancer, Dragonfly is there—from diagnosis through treatment and beyond—offering strength, courage, and joy. Because the impact of pediatric cancer endures long after treatment, so does Dragonfly’s commitment to those affected.
At Dragonfly, we provide thoughtful gifts to pediatric cancer patients and their families to ease the burden of treatment and bring joy during a difficult time. When a new patient joins, they receive a personalized welcome gift filled with toys and items tailored to their interests. As families continue their journey, Dragonfly offers additional gifts to meet ongoing needs and celebrate meaningful milestones.
Dragonfly hosts regular events and experiences designed specifically for our families. These gatherings provide opportunities to spend quality time together and connect with others facing similar challenges, all in an environment that accommodates the unique needs of pediatric cancer patients.
Dragonfly works directly with front-line staff to assess, identify, and fulfill incoming requests to support patients’ and families’ daily needs. In partnership with hospital social workers and Child Life Specialists, Dragonfly assists with urgent requests, such as providing gas cards, grocery cards and other items – offering crucial support during challenging times.
Dragonfly’s Adopt a Family program allows generous supporters to be paired with Dragonfly families to provide them with gifts for the holidays. Updated sign up for 2025 coming soon!
Dragonfly is proud to offer a dedicated space where families can take a break, recharge, and find comfort away from the hospital. This warm, welcoming environment is created to inspire strength, courage, and joy. Our space includes play areas for all ages, arts and crafts, video games, a kitchenette with snacks and coffee, and an outdoor play area.
Dragonfly’s offices are located in a historic home at 506 Oak Street, where the goal is to preserve the original artisan finishes while continuing to develop the space into a welcoming, non-residential facility for all Dragonfly families to use—regardless of where they live. The home is being thoughtfully transformed into a safe, warm, and nurturing environment where Dragonflies can land, find joy, reduce feelings of isolation, and be comforted by the knowledge that they are never alone with Dragonfly.
Dragonfly partners with hospital social workers and Child Life Specialists to offer holistic, continuous support to pediatric cancer patients and their families, ensuring they receive care that addresses both emotional and practical needs throughout their treatment journey.
In the early days of a pediatric cancer diagnosis, one of the first steps families take is hospital admission — a moment often filled with uncertainty and emotion. These hospital-approved bags include personal care essentials like shampoo, lip balm, body wash, toothbrushes and many more items — small but meaningful items to ease the transition into the hospital stay. Each bag also contains The Dragonfly Way, a resource booklet filled with helpful information and heartfelt stories from families who have traveled this path before. It’s our way of letting them know: they are not alone.
Joy Cart is a monthly program that brings a little brightness to the dedicated staff who care for our Dragonflies at Cincinnati Children’s Hospitals. Each month, we deliver sweet and savory treats and thoughtful, small gifts to the Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant teams as a simple but heartfelt “thank you” for all they do. We want to show these incredible caregivers that they are appreciated for their compassion and commitment.
The I Am Still Me® program supports Dragonfly patients before, during, and after treatment, offering resources to help them cope with hair loss and other physical changes. This program is designed to empower patients by helping them navigate these changes with confidence and self-expression.
Alongside the hospital, we support the Beads of Courage program, which empowers our Dragonflies to share their stories through beads that honor each act of bravery and milestone in their treatment journey.
Dragonfly supports young cancer and bone marrow transplant patients at our partner hospitals in Cincinnati. At all partner hospitals, patients and families can work with their social worker or work with our team to register to become a Dragonfly.
