UKIAH >> When Poppy Brodoski and Don Doidge, owners of DFM Car Stereo were asked to come up with a quote to install a sound system for a new office, they treated it as a normal business transaction. But things changed when they found out it was for the Cancer Treatment and Infusion Center (CTIC) at Ukiah Valley Medical Center.
“We went back to the drawing board and we thought it would be a great opportunity to do something for the community,” Brodoski said. “I know so many people who have been touched by cancer; family, friends, neighbors, almost everyone knows someone who has had to deal with cancer. And what better way to help, than by sharing what we do best — music.”
DFM donated and installed a state-of-the art sound system, including a five-disc CD player, in-ceiling speakers and outdoor speakers to the CTIC. With this donation, patients at the infusion center will be able to listen to relaxing music while undergoing treatment. Studies have shown that music is not just soothing but also beneficial for cancer patients as a way to cope with some of the symptoms of their disease and side effects of their treatment. Researchers at Drexel University reviewed 30 trials with a total of 1,891 participants and found that listening to recorded music, as well as music therapy, helps to improve anxiety, pain, mood, quality of life, heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure in cancer patients.
Angle Slater, nurse and patient navigator at the CTIC agrees, “Cancer is a difficult and long journey. So if there’s anything that we can do to make it better for our patients we will do it. And music is one of those things.”
“We are incredibly grateful to DFM for this gift. It truly is a blessing. I know music is not a cure, but it can improve our patients’ quality of life and help them cope with their condition,” added Slater.
DFM, a family owned and operated business, has been providing mobile audio, video, security and navigation products to Lake and Mendocino counties for more than 30 years.
“So giving back to the community made sense to us,” Doidge said.
Brodoski agrees, “This is our hospital and our family has so many ties to it, I was born at the birth center, my mother, Lynn Meadows, PA is a physician assistant there and friends and family members have used the hospital’s services in one way or another. We are privileged to do this for the community.”
Located at 260 Hospital Drive, Suite 207 in Ukiah, the CTIC provides comprehensive cancer care services and also offers the Focus on Healing Program. The program is designed to benefit patients and their families by reaching beyond medical treatment to incorporate elements that foster physical, mental and spiritual well-being including nutritional education, art, movement and music therapies and other healing programs. To learn more about the services offered at the center and the Focus on Healing program call (707) 463-7623.
