#Hashtag | Apr. 2024
#HASHTAG: JESSICA MERAR
By Dustin O’Regan
ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL
Highland Park’s JESSICA MERAR is on a mission to spread awareness for pediatric cancer and raise funds to support local children battling cancer. As a Certified Child Life Specialist, Merar has been on the front lines of care at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago for 15 years. In 2020, she saw the need for Dragonfly, an organization that supports pediatric cancer patients and families, to have a physical presence in the Chicago area. As the Director of The Dragonfly Foundation Chicago, Merar collaborates with social workers, child life specialists, and those who work directly with oncology patients at eight local children’s hospitals. From fulfilling day-to-day essential needs such as gas cards, grocery cards, household essentials, and toys as well as connecting families and providing opportunities outside the hospital walls, Dragonfly aims to offer support when it is needed most—during diagnosis, throughout treatment, and beyond. Dragonfly’s biggest benefit of the year, “Night of Courage: Dragonfly Derby” is coming up on Saturday, May 4. To learn more, visit fundraiser.bid/dragonflyderby24. Here is how this passionate advocate stays on-trend.
#ON MY NIGHTSTAND
I am a serial book quitter. I have a major problem of starting books and never finishing them. I currently have Jodi Picoult’s Mad Honey on my nightstand just begging to be read—I do love her style of writing and how she weaves themes throughout her stories. I am also trying to get through various articles for my Kellogg nonprofit management course.
#ON MY MOBILE
My social media apps are a confused mix of influencers, other nonprofits in our space with whom we love to partner, news outlets to keep up with worldly issues, TikTok to fuel my daughters’ passion for dance, and a hefty dose of healthy recipes and lifestyle tips. Perhaps I should put my phone down so I can finish those books on my nightstand.
#IN MY EARBUDS
I am a sucker for house/dance/EDM. Give me some Kygo and I am one happy lady. I choose music over podcasts any day and am always singing in the car—much to the dismay of my family.
