Expedition report · March 2023

16th Expedition AzulZoé

Name: 16th Expedition: AzulZoé
Start: 2023-03-24
End: 2023-03-31
Location: Aveiro

24 to March 31, 2023 · 8 daysAveiro

March Blue Zoé: raising awareness about colorectal cancer

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appointmentsin 8 days of expedition: 346
volunteers: 13
hours donated: 640
in donated services: R$ 98k

Value of the services donated on this expedition: hours actually worked × the market rate for the specialty, reported by the volunteer or, failing that, the market average — the methodology of note 11 to the audited financial statements. Amounts in Brazilian reais.

About the expedition

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopies and ultrasound exams

In April 2023, ONG Zoé organized an expedition in the city of Belterra, in the heart of the Amazon, focusing on raising awareness about stomach cancer, a prevalent health issue in the region. Throughout the mission, hundreds of exams and biopsies were conducted, providing crucial assistance to many patients. A local ultrasound machine was used, optimizing patient care by reducing the need for patient travel and saving valuable resources. The expedition, supported by numerous volunteers, also served as a practical training opportunity for local healthcare professionals, reinforcing ONG Zoé's commitment to improving health in the Amazon.

It doesn't matter having a good instrument in hand if you don't know how to use it properly. — Erilane Cardoso, nurse

Appointments

What was done, by category

346in total

Ultrasounds
Endoscopies/colonoscopies

Ultrasounds

51%

178

Endoscopies/colonoscopies

49%

168

Lower endoscopies115
Upper endoscopies53

Highlights

What marked this expedition

174 biopsies analyzed by the Genoa laboratory

63 biopsies were performed via histology and 111 biopsies via urease test, analyzed in partnership with the Genoa laboratory in São Paulo.

An ultrasound machine that has been idle for a year

The equipment had been inactive for about a year; we were hesitant to turn it on, and this opportunity provided by Zoé in our municipality, bringing this training, was extremely necessary. — Erilane Cardoso

178 ultrasounds, 53 colonoscopies, and 115 upper endoscopies

The northern region of Brazil still has the highest rate of stomach cancer in the country, which justifies performing upper digestive endoscopies in this population. A total of 178 ultrasound exams, 53 colonoscopies, and 115 upper endoscopies were conducted.

Stories

Who the team met

"This instrument in the municipality brings both economic savings for the patient and for the municipality, because instead of leaving their home area, they can have the exam done right here." — Erilane Cardoso, nurse