Jessica Merar: Combining Passion and Purpose to Help Kids with Cancer

Founders & Philanthropists

Issue 9

Jessica Merar’s path has always been driven by her deep desire to help others, a passion that led to a long career at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital. As a Certified Child Life Specialist, she worked closely with hospitalized children and their families, guiding them through their most challenging moments. She cherished this role so much that even with a family and a full-time job at a foundation, she still makes time for it on a part-time basis.

While working at Lurie, Jessica was first exposed to the amazing work of The Dragonfly Foundation, a pediatric cancer nonprofit based in Cincinnati at the time. Dragonfly supports patients and their families throughout their oncology journey. She witnessed firsthand the tangible impact Dragonfly had on families—whether providing a car seat, organizing a Halloween celebration, or arranging transportation to ensure kids didn’t miss crucial treatment appointments. These experiences planted a seed that would later grow into a full-time role.

After a decade at Lurie, Jessica ventured into pharmaceutical sales. With a surprised tone she told me, “I was doing well, my sales were up, and I grew my business. You would think I would be happy, but my heart was simply not in it.”  What she did not know at the time, was that prospecting, coffee meetings, and the other sales skills gained would serve her well at her next job.

The Impact of Dragonfly                                                                                                                 

In 2020, with the blessing of the Cincinnati team, Jessica took a considerable step, opening the Chicago chapter of The Dragonfly Foundation. What started as a team of just one has now grown into a thriving operation, serving eight partner hospitals. Dragonfly’s mission is simple yet powerful: to provide pediatric cancer patients and their families with courage, strength, and joy at the time of diagnosis, throughout treatment, and beyond. The organization’s support can range from the practical, like gas cards and grocery assistance, to more meaningful, such as connecting a teen cancer patient with the Chicago Police Department to fulfill her dream of being inducted as an honorary officer.

As the Director of Dragonfly Chicago, Jessica oversees a wide range of services, ensuring families feel supported every step of the way. The needs of these families vary greatly, but Dragonfly is there to meet them head-on, offering everything from transportation to medical appointments to something as simple as a favorite color of playdough for a child facing long hospital stays. Each interaction is designed to ease the burden these families face and bring moments of joy in otherwise difficult circumstances.

What Dragonfly Needs to Grow

While Dragonfly has made incredible strides, there is still much more to be done. The need for their services grows every year, and so do their aspirations. Jessica and her team are eager to expand their reach, bringing in more partners and increasing their fundraising efforts. With Silvia Dulsat Planas, Dragonfly’s dedicated Manager of Programs and Patient Relations, now on board full-time, Jessica can focus on cultivating the relationships and resources needed to keep Dragonfly thriving.

Fundraising remains a top priority for the organization, and they are looking for both donors and volunteers who can help expand their programming. From gas and grocery card donations to sponsorships for events like the annual Night of Courage gala, every contribution helps. As Dragonfly continues to serve hundreds of families across the Chicagoland area, they are committed to growing in both size and impact.

What’s Next for Jessica and Dragonfly

Jessica is not only focused on the present, but also on the future. With big goals for Dragonfly, including increasing their donor base and scaling up their services, she is excited about the potential to do even more for the families they serve. “We’ve grown so much, but we’re just getting started,” Jessica says. “I want Dragonfly to be there for every family facing pediatric cancer in the Chicago area.”

If you’re inspired by Jessica’s story and the work The Dragonfly Foundation does, consider joining their mission. Whether through a donation, volunteer work, or simply spreading the word, your support can help Jessica and her team continue to provide courage, strength, and joy to families when they need it most. Check out their website for more information: https://dragonfly.org/chicago/