The patients at Winthrop-Universiy Hospital's Child Life Program have a comfortable atmosphere to ease their fears and anxiety of being in a hospital. A playroom designated by Winthrop as a "safe haven" for children complete with video and computer games and movies and the latest technological advancements in a new inpatient center for the treatment of children. Now, the children who are being treated at Winthrop

have a member of the New York Jets on their team and not just any player, but one of the game's elite offensive linemen.

All-pro center Kevin Mawae of the New York Jets announced a program called the "First and Goal Challenge" in which money will be raised to benefit Winthrop's Child Life Program.

Mawae, who at 6'4'' and 289 pounds, gives defensive linemen nightmares. The 12-year veteran has made the NFL's Pro Bowl five straight years and on Sundays gets down to businesses helping to power the Jets' offense. But, off the field, Mawae is a family man and wants to give something back to make hospital stays less stressful for children and their parents.

He was at Winthrop last Tuesday to lend his support to the children who are hospitalized. As part of the program, a $100 commitment is being asked for Tthose who participate and they have three categories to choose from - Jets offensive touchdowns, Jets offensive first downs and Jets 100-yard rushing games. If a participant were to choose offensive touchdowns, he or she would receive one chance ticket for every TD during the 2004 season. If one were to choose first downs, he or she would receive two chances for every 18 first downs the Jets get in 2004 and if one were to choose Jets 100-yard rushing games, he or she would receive four chances for every 100-yard rushing games (all ball carriers combined). Winners will be drawn from the pool of chance tickets at the end of the 2004 season.

Prizes include a one-on-one training session with Kevin Mawae, a complete travel package for two to a New York Jets 2005 away game, two tickets to a New York Jets 2005 home game and many others including an autographed Kevin Mawae jersey, autographed footballs and more.

For the last five years, Mawae has been involved in The David Center for Autism research, but he felt is was time to move on to something else. This past spring, one of his children was hospitalized at Winthrop for flu-like symptoms. "We were with her for three days and we saw the changes the hospital made from a few years back when my son was in the emergency room until now and we thought it was something special and we wanted to be a part of it," said Mawae, who was accompanied by his wife, Traci.

If the Jets' first week of the season, a 31-24 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in a game the Jets had 24 first downs and rushed for 219 yards including 196 by running back Curtis Martin, is any indication, there will be many opportunities for those who contribute to the program to win prizes and thus Winthrop pediatrics will benefit.

Mawae lives with his family in Garden City and wants to help families close by. Winthrop Hospital President and CEO Daniel Walsh and Department of Pediatrics Chairman Dr. Warren Rosenfeld thanked the Mawaes for their efforts in helping children, which is something Mawae feels is important.

The Winthrop Child Life Program aims to help children overcome fear and anxiety of a hospital, alleviate the short-term emotional effects of hospitalization and transform hospitalization into a positive experience that promotes the child's growth and development by providing a comfortable and caring atmosphere.

"It's about getting help and having people there who want to care for you. When children come to a place like this, it takes them away from the needles and the scary machines. That's what we want to be a part of," said Mawae.

Traci Mawae was particularly impressed by the separate emergency room for children at Winthrop. "We were so impressed with that," she said.

In the Child Life Playroom, patients can play video games, watch movies, paint, draw, read and interact with other children.

If a hospital stay for a child can be made more comfortable, it is a worthy cause for Kevin and Traci Mawae, who feel it's important to pass their blessings on to others.

Anyone interested in getting involved in Kevin Mawae's First and Goal Challenge to benefit Winthrop pediatrics should visit www.winthrop.org/firstandgoal or call 663-3398.