Mexico/Venezuela- Fundraised project
Desafío del Caribe
Partner institution
Venezuelan Haemophilia Association (AVH) and Federación de Hemofilia de la República Mexicana (FHRM)
Represented by
Cesar A. Garrido
Carlos Gaitán
Duration
8 months, Q3 2011 – Q1 2012
Status
Completed
Objectives
- Transfer of knowledge and exchange of experiences between both countries
- Regularly evaluate the swimmers by a medical team resulting in a scientific publication
- Awareness about sports in haemophilia with a focus on swimming
Achievements
- 18 swimmers participated in international competition in Cancun – 3 km
- Musculoskeletal (MSK) aspects: decrease in the severity of haemophilic arthropathy based on the HJHS. The pain in the elbows decreased and the muscle strength in the ankles increased
- Psychological aspects: self-esteem increased
- Based on collected data, 2 publications presented to Haemophilia Journal
- Wide media presence
- Increased collaboration between people with haemophilia and medical community
- Active involvement of youth groups in both countries organising further activities and projects
- Follow up swimming activities
- Swimming classes in Barquisimeto, Venezuela
- Swimming event at Mexican haemophilia congress
- Media activities in 5 states in Mexico following the project
- Increased awareness on national levels of benefits of exercise for haemophilia and importance of multidisciplinary approach
”I am so happy that we all made it to the final line. We are the champions of this competition,” Lupita, a 15 year old carrier from Michoacán, Mexico, who came second amongst all the participating women.
“We have witnessed what is found in the literature: Swimming helps to increase muscle mass, protecting the joints against impact and hence avoiding increased frequency of bleeding,” Dr Adolfina Berges, haematologist from Mexico.
