Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune held a grand opening for Austin's Playroom, which was dedicated by the Mario Lemieux Foundation, Oct. 20. The 730-square-foot room is tucked just inside the new, 45,000 square-foot Clinic Annex, which is home to pediatrics, dermatology and much more.

Mario Lemieux, National Hockey League Hall of Famer and Pittsburgh Penguins owner, and his wife, Nathalie participated in the ribbon cutting and official dedication ceremony. The family was also joined by Rear Adm. Terry J. Moulton, commander of Navy Medicine East and the hospital commanding officer, Capt. Rick Freedman.

Freedman explained how important it is to take care of and ensure readiness aboard the base. He also emphasized how the playroom will play an integral part in that mission.

"There is no surer way to make a combat ready Marine, soldier, Sailor, airman or guardsman more ineffective than to have them worry about their loved one," Freedman said, as he lamented over his own experience with a sick child. His oldest daughter was born and spent a considerable amount of time in intensive care. They had a toddler son who acted like most toddlers. He explained that juggling a toddler and with his worry over his newborn was difficult. "Perhaps if we were there today, with a beautiful Austin's playroom at the National Military Medical Center at Bethesda, it might have been different. To make the day special for my son on those trips to the hospital, perhaps would have enabled all of us to visit Jessica as a family."

The third of its kind established on a military installation and 32nd overall, the playroom is a place for children to play and relax during stressful situations. Built to accommodate children ages three to 12, the playroom features toys, books, games and other activities. The concept for the playroom stems from Lemieux's own personal experiences shortly after the birth of their son Austin, who spent 71 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit after being born premature.

While they were caring for Austin, there was nothing to engage his sisters, who were both toddlers at the time. It was then Mario and Nathalie realized a need for playrooms and began their plan to establish Austin's Playroom Project.

"Mario and I are excited to open this new military playroom in the new Naval Hospital Clinic Annex at Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune," said Nathalie Lemieux. "This is our third military playroom, and a great honor to have a room here. It is my hope that this playroom provides the necessary healing and comfort for these very special military families."

The playroom will serve the more than 75,000 active duty Marines and their families, as well as wounded warriors, veterans and their families in the Jacksonville area.

"When you see the little children come in with their huge smiles on their face, it lets you know you've done something right," said Nathalie.

Smiles were all around, as children checked out the educational books, toys and games.

"It's really good. I'd rather come here with this playroom and play, than go to a place that doesn't have a playroom at all," said Kainana Contreras, a nine-year-old from North Top Sail. "I really liked the hockey game."

Each room is equipped with creative and visually appealing furniture that makes the centers more like home.

"We are very conscientious about trying to provide stimulating areas in each of our rooms, and when you look around the playroom, you will see an area for imaginative play, a place for caregivers to rest, as well as an area for older children to hang out," said Nancy Angus, executive director for the foundation. "They can play bubble hockey, do homework - they can be comfortable doing things they would do in their own home."

This is exactly what the foundation hopes for. In fact, the idea of fun has benefited healthcare all the way around.

Camp Pendleton has seen a 30 percent increase in patients who keep their appointments, since it's Austin's Playroom was established last year, said Nathalie. "We have seen the same thing with our hospital emergency room playrooms."

There is a bit of a tactical aspect to the playroom from a parent's perspective.

It will make it easier for parents who are left alone during deployment to take their children to appointments, said Major Gen. William D. Beydler, commanding officer for II Marine Expeditionary Force. "They might actually feel more capable of making appointments."

The playroom project is a part of the Mario Lemieux Foundation, which was created in 1993 when Mario was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease. While battling cancer, Mario continued to establish a new NHL scoring record. Lemieux amassed 613 goals and 1,494 points in 745 regular season games while capturing a multitude of individual awards and accolades, according the Hockey Hall of Fame website.

He is now 22 years cancer free and on a mission to find a cure for cancer. The Lemieux Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to raising funds for cancer research and patient care, as well as Austin's Playroom Project.

Donations are key to funding the $100,000 playroom. One particular organization had an integral part in raising the money for the military installations playroom projects.

"We are a small group who raise money in response to the Iraq and Afghanistan war. We got involved to five years ago and host annual fundraisers that we split between Warriors and the military played room projects," Marcy Westwood, a board member for Western Pennsylvania Friends of Wounded Warrior. "We are looking forward to doing more. We are always looking forward to support we need warriors."


For more news from Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune, visit www.navy.mil/.