Expedition report · March 2022

5th Expedition Blue March

Name: 5th Expedition: Blue March
Start: 2022-03-05
End: 2022-03-12
Location: Belterra

5 to March 12, 2022 · 8 daysBelterra

Blue March: colorectal cancer awareness month

The largest expedition in Zoé's historyDownload report (PDF) (opens in a new tab)

appointmentsin 8 days of expedition: 289
volunteers: 25
hours donated: 1,488
in donated services: R$ 257k

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

Why Blue March?

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in Brazil, affecting both men and women. By donating, you will help enable early diagnosis of this tumor, which means less suffering and greater survival rates. <BR> <BR> Among the ideas that led to the founding of our NGO, Zoé, was a project we conducted to screen for colorectal cancer in the population of Belterra. Taking advantage of <b>Blue March</b>, dedicated to preventing this tumor, some patients previously treated through colonoscopy will be re-examined following international protocols.

I didn't want to go. I came only because of the insistence of the community health agent, but the exam saved my life. — Francisco Pereira dos Santos, farmer

New recordCompared with the previous record of each number

Volunteers

5th · Mar/202225

3rd · Nov/202121

Hours donated

5th · Mar/20221,488

3rd · Nov/20211,096

Appointments

5th · Mar/2022289

2nd · Oct/2021249

Appointments

What was done, by category

289in total

Endoscopies/colonoscopies
Surgeries
Ultrasounds
Clinical consultations

Endoscopies/colonoscopies

49%

141

Upper endoscopies109
Lower endoscopies32

Surgeries

20%

Ultrasounds

17%

Clinical consultations

14%

Dermatology41

Highlights

What marked this expedition

Eneas's surgery

Eneas came in for an endoscopy when our team noticed he had a lesion on his toe that was already blocking an artery. The surgeons relied on the surgical center infrastructure inaugurated by Zoé during the third expedition and were able to operate on him. 'If he hadn't been operated on, there would have been a risk of amputation,' said Dr. Pedro.

Consultation at the Municipal Hospital

Together with Sírio-Libanês, we conducted a consultation at the Municipal Hospital that will generate additional funding from SUS estimated at over R$30,000.

1,800 hours donated

With 25 volunteers—surgeons, endoscopists, anesthesiologists, nursing staff, ultrasonographers, dermatologists, academics, logistics, and communications—we donated 1,800 hours. The expedition was supported by Dr. Drauzio Varella, who participated as a reporter and friend.

Stories

Who the team met

Photo for story 1 of the 5th Expedition: Blue March

Five years ago, a Zoé doctor performed the first exam on Mr. Francisco and diagnosed him with colorectal cancer. ‘I didn’t want to go. I came only because of the insistence of the community health agent, but the exam saved my life. I was referred to have surgery at the Regional Hospital in Santarém. Today I’ve had another colonoscopy and no longer have cancer.’ Francisco Pereira dos Santos, 63-year-old farmer from the Santo Antônio community

Photo for story 2 of the 5th Expedition: Blue March

Eneas came in for an endoscopy when our team noticed he had a lesion on his toe. Although he wasn’t aware of the severity, the infected lesion had already blocked an artery and impaired circulation. Fortunately, the surgeons had access to the surgical center infrastructure inaugurated by Zoé during the third expedition and were able to operate on him and restore his health. 'If he hadn't been operated on, there would have been a risk of amputation,' said Dr. Pedro. Eneas José de Oliveira, 61-year-old rural worker