Little Doctors Aid in Plainview PTA Blood Drive

Parents, grandparents, siblings and an assortment of Plainview-Old Bethpage community members poured into Middle School Tuesday night for one reason; to help save lives.

Each year, the Plainview PTA Council holds numerous blood drives throughout the school district, and three at Mattlin Middle School. The newest addition to the roster is the Little Doctors Blood Drive, an interactive experience where 5th graders are taught the value of blood donation while participating first hand.

Long Island Blood Services, a part of the statewide New York Blood Center, came into the school Feb. 11 and gave each 5th grade class an informative presentation on donating blood that tied into their circulatory system curriculum. After the presentation, approximately 20 students were chosen by their teachers to be a part of the Little Doctors program and aid in the March blood drive.

The "Little Doctors" greeted donors and set them up with the necessary paperwork to complete the donation process. While the donors were busy giving blood, the "Little Doctors" made personalized "thank you" cards to give to each participant. 

"This is our newest drive, and it's really very special because the children are involved," said PTA Council member and blood drive organizer Colleen Mack-Savino. "Everyone has had a very positive reaction to the children today, especially the thank you cards."

Mack-Savino was joined by PTA Council member Julie Kessler in organizing the event and spreading the word through the community. Blood donation has played an important role in the women's lives for many years, both donating at their own high school's very first blood drive.

Aside from advertising the drive through the district, each "Little Doctor" was supposed to attract donors of their own. Kessler and Mack-Savino were unsure how many donors came for the Little Doctors Program specifically, but they did note that they had far less cancellations or no-shows than in past events.

Sarah Gardos, one of the select few chosen as a "Little Doctor," enjoyed her time at the blood drive and helping people throughout the day.

"This is the first blood drive I ever went to and I like it a lot," the fifth grader said. Gardos was able to get her mother, a first time donor, to participate in Tuesday's drive.

The event ran from 3:30 to 9:30 p.m., with most donors coming right after dinner time. Over 40 pints of blood were counted before the end of the night which organizers said is a huge success.