“We are family.”
That’s the tagline literally printed on the back of the Dragonfly Chicago T-shirts that Director Jessica Merar and her team wear to events.
“We support pediatric cancer patients and their families at time of diagnosis, throughout treatment and beyond,” says Merar. “By collaborating directly with our partner hospitals, we are able to help children and families as they go through one of the most difficult experiences of their lives.”
The Dragonfly Foundation Chicago represents the culmination of Merar’s studies, work experience and passions. A Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS), University of Illinois graduate and Highland Park native and resident, first started her niche healthcare career16 years ago. Following her first professional role at Advocate Illinois Masonic, she joined the Child Life team at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, where she worked with patients, their families, and interdisciplinary teams for emotional and psychosocial health support.
“One of the nonprofits with which I connected patients and families was The Dragonfly Foundation from Cincinnati—there was no local chapter here at the time, but they wanted to help us from afar,” Merar says. “The nonprofit was known for supporting families during their cancer journey, fulfilling daily needs.”
It was when Merar took a year off in 2018 to raise her two daughters that she kept thinking about a Chicago chapter. “I called the team in Cincinnati and asked them to let me open the chapter,” she says. “Luckily, they agreed!”
On March 16, 2020, her dream came true. Then the pandemic hit. “It was actually a blessing in disguise because it allowed us time during the shutdown to grow our member and donor base organically,” Merar says. Over the course of that first year, the nonprofit had a gross revenue of $40,000—and just four years later, Dragonfly closed out its fiscal year with a gross revenue of $600,000. Today, Dragonfly Chicago has raised more than $1.3 million in funds to support local pediatric patients and families and since inception, have supported more than 800 families in the Chicagoland area.
In 2022, Merar hired Silvia Dulsat Planas as the full-time manager of programs and patient relations to support the chapter’s growing programs. Her role includes overseeing key programs such as the Urgent Requests Program, which addresses the daily essential needs of patients and families in collaboration with clinical front-line staff. She also manages multiple hospital-focused programs, including funding for “Chemo Ducks”—a teaching tool that helps children understand their treatment—along with the “I Am Still Me” program, which provides hair loss kits containing a soft pillowcase, a beanie, and a book of personal stories. In addition, Dulsat Planas plays a vital role in building relationships with Dragonfly patients and families, planning monthly family events, directly supporting families in celebrating milestones and birthdays, and overseeing the holiday Adopt a Family program.
While donations are sourced throughout the year, a large source of the funding comes from the annual Night of Courage event, a fundraising gala in its fourth year. “There are great gaming and bidding opportunities, incredible entertainment, an open bar, phenomenal food, amazing live and silent auctions, the chance to meet our honored patient and more—all in benefit of those we serve,” Merar says about the event, taking place on May 3 at Fields Lexus Glenview.
During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, on September 15, Dragonfly will host its third annual Golf Classic at Wilmette Golf Club to raise funds. Throughout the year, the nonprofit receives hands-on support from a group of more than 45 dedicated volunteers who assist at events, wrap gifts during the holidays and more. There’s also an 11-member Advisory Board, comprised of local community members.
The support for patients doesn’t end after treatment. “Our motto is once a Dragonfly, always a Dragonfly,” Merar says. “We recognize that the impact of cancer doesn’t disappear, even in remission. Medically there are still many side effects, and there is a significant impact on mental health. We also understand that the siblings of patients are on this journey, too. That’s why it’s important for us to treat the entire family, not just the patient.”
To learn more, donate, get involved or purchase Night of Courage tickets, visit dragonfly.org/Chicago.
We support pediatric cancer patients and their families at time of diagnosis, throughout treatment and beyond
We also understand that the siblings of patients are on this journey, too. That’s why it’s important for us to treat the entire family, not just the patient.