“When we began our medical journey, the difficulties seemed endless. Thanks to the dedicated
people at Children’s Hospital, this journey is evolving into a lifetime of successful
accomplishments.”
— Dot Pollon
The night the lights went out in the Pollon household, Dorothy comforted her son by crawling into bed with him. “Benjamin thought it was fun because it reminded him of our times together at Children’s Hospital,” says Mrs. Pollon. “We’ve had to spend many, many nights at Children’s, and Benjamin was remembering the best of it — appreciating the sensitive care he receives, and the family-centered approach that allows us to be together.”
Benjamin, now 15, was born with a rare, disfiguring skin condition that causes malignant moles and lesions. He’s had 30 surgeries to date. In addition, he has been diagnosed with autism and mental retardation, and continues to be treated for scoliosis. The years since Benjamin’s very complicated, life-threatening birth have been a series of medical successes “beyond your wildest imagination,” says Mrs. Pollon. She attributes her son’s progress to the dedicated, interdisciplinary care that unites specialists — such as Joseph E. Losee, MD, chief of Pediatric Plastic Surgery, and Stephen A. Mendelson, MD, director of Pediatric Orthopaedic Trauma — to oversee Benjamin’s medical needs.
“Thanks to all the specialists, Benjamin is with us,” says Mrs. Pollon, a lawyer who does advocacy work for special needs children. It is for that very reason that Mrs. Pollon has turned her attention to raising funds and awareness for Children’s Hospital.
“Benjamin is the kindest, sweetest child you’ll ever meet, and he’s here doing this well because of the care he receives from the experts at Children’s. I don’t think anyone realizes how fortunate we are to have Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh — until they need it. And at some point, many of us will.”
ALL-FOR-ONE
Aaron and Joshua Pollon knew something important was missing as they prepared for their B’nai Mitzvah* — their brother Benjamin. Eleven months younger than his twin brothers, Benjamin battles a rare, life-threatening skin condition. The brothers told parents Neal and Dorothy Pollon that they wanted to mark their Jewish rite of passage with Benjamin.
So they waited about a year until Benjamin turned 13. Grateful for Benjamin’s extraordinary medical care, the three boys contributed their Bar Mitzvah cash gifts (matched by Mom and Dad) to Children’s Hospital.
The Pollons (including daughter Jill, now 7) celebrated the occasion with family and friends at PNC Park, Benjamin’s favorite summer hangout, where he enthusiastically follows his beloved Pittsburgh Pirates.
*Plural of Bar Mitzvah