Welcome to Dragonfly Cincinnati
Welcome to Dragonfly Cincinnati
Her greatest joys are singing and dancing. A true social butterfly, Lily has a gift for turning strangers into friends in an instant. Whether at the park, a party, or just out and about, you’ll find her laughing, running, and playing with others, her enthusiasm is simply contagious.
In March 2023, just weeks after celebrating her third birthday, Lily came down with what seemed like a routine cold. Her brother had just recovered from one, so we followed the same treatment plan, expecting it to pass quickly. But something felt different. After a primary care visit and evaluation at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, we went home with a treatment plan and Lily perked up.
Lily finally wanted to play outside, but what happened next was the most terrifying moment of my life. After climbing a small mulch pile, she didn’t feel well, and before we knew it, she was unresponsive. We called the paramedics, and she was taken back to Children’s Hospital.
Lily was admitted, and after bloodwork was completed and a long and difficult three days passed, our worst fears were confirmed: Lily was diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. The doctors immediately shared a detailed two-year treatment plan, one with very high success rates. We felt reassured and confident that Lily was in the best possible hands.
The first phase of Lily’s treatment involved a month-long inpatient stay at the hospital, where she was hit hard with both chemotherapy and steroids to aggressively target the leukemia cells.
It was during this intense phase that we were first introduced to The Dragonfly Foundation. Our social worker brought us the blue Care Bag filled with essentials we hadn’t even realized we needed, the small comforts that made a big difference.
Balancing life became a challenge. We had to split our time between being with Lily in the hospital and caring for our son at home. And as if that weren’t enough, about three weeks into Lily’s stay, we had to leave to welcome her baby sister, Lyla, into the world.
In our absence, Lily’s grandparents, aunts, and uncles stepped in to support her with love and care. We were deeply grateful, not only for our family’s help, but also for the gifts and resources from Dragonfly that brought comfort and a sense of normalcy to Lily during such a difficult time.
Shortly after we returned to the hospital to be with Lily, she completed the induction phase of her treatment. A follow-up bone marrow biopsy revealed no detectable leukemia blasts! With that hopeful news, we were finally able to come home and be together as a family of five.
Over the next couple of years, Lily continued to go in and out of the hospital for treatment. While the therapy targeted her cancer cells, it also affected healthy ones, leaving her more vulnerable to illness.
Despite these challenges, Dragonfly gave Lily the chance to experience a more “typical” childhood. She attended Reds and FC Cincinnati games, holiday parties, Disney on Ice and the magical experience of seeing the Descendants Tour. Dragonfly understands the unique needs of children undergoing treatment, offering isolated seating and hosting smaller, safer events so no child has to miss out.
While we carried the weight of fear from her diagnosis and treatment, I truly believe Lily didn’t. Dragonfly filled her days with joy, helping her forget the harsh realities of her medical journey.
Dragonfly has also helped us find support by connecting us with other families facing similar diagnosis. Through these connections, we’ve found a shared understanding, not just of the hardships, but of the joys as well, speaking the same language of experience and hope.
We’re overjoyed to share that Lily completed her treatment in June 2025 and remains in remission! Our hearts are full of gratitude for our incredible friends and family, and we are truly grateful to be part of the Dragonfly family.
We kindly ask for your support of The Dragonfly Foundation, whose unwavering care, strength, and support have meant the world to families like ours. Sadly, our story is not unique, and your generosity helps ensure that others receive the same compassion and resources we did.
Thank you so much for your consideration and support.