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Story and photo by HN Charles Hollingworth as it appeared in the Portsmouth Naval Hospital Courier
Many books, DVDs and CDs that Naval Medical Center Portsmouth patients use while in the hospital are here because of one Navy man’s three-year battle with melanoma.
Navy pilot, Cmdr. Thomas M. Pattullo, died of skin cancer in July 2005. He previously had been Commanding Officer, Fleet Aviation Specialized Operational Training Group, Atlantic Fleet in Norfolk. Pattullo’s family formed the Pluto’s Pride Foundation as a tribute to his life and the NMCP staff who cared for him.
The foundation collects donations from individuals and organizations. The donations, which include books, DVDs, CDs and MP3 players, go to the hospital’s Adult and Pediatric Oncology and Infusion Center, Pediatric Clinic and OB/GYN Mother-Baby unit.
According to Chris Brogan, NMCP Child Life Specialist, patients use the donations to help them take their mind off of treatment. Brogan said the audiovisual equipment for children treated at the pediatric clinic previously was limited, and the programming on the only television in the patient community room didn’t accommodate all age groups.
“(Now) we have a nice little DVD collection,” said Brogan. “We have these extra DVD players that are really nice to take into the rooms.”
In November, Pluto’s Pride Foundation purchased 34 DVD players, 19 MP3 players, 17 CD players and numerous DVDs, CDs and books on CD and donated them to the hospital.
13-year-old Selena Blahut, a pediatric oncology patient, said she uses the equipment often and enjoys watching movies like Bambi 2 on the portable DVD player. “It made me feel better. I was bored and had nothing to do. And I was real sick.”
Brogan agrees. The books, CDs and DVDs are therapeutic for patients.
“It can decrease their perception of the amount of pain they have and impacts the amount of pain medication we give them,” said Brogan. “That impacts the risk of more medicine and longer hospitalizations.”
The Pluto’s Pride Foundation’s mission is to carry out Pattullo's belief that it was part of his duty to honor and take care of his fellow military brothers and sisters. The foundation’s board continues to accept donations to purchase DVD, CD and MP3 players, and DVDs and CDs for those fighting cancer at NMCP. Contact Nicole Pattullo at nicole@plutospride.com for more information or visit the Web site www.plutospride.com.
Photo: NMCP patient Selena Blahut, left, with friend Britanie N. Pelletier, enjoys a portable DVD player donated by the Pluto’s Pride Foundation. Photo by HN Charles Hollingsworth.
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