"Crusade for joy" is a project that since 2007 is held at the Children South Teaching Hospital "Antonio Maria Béguez Caesar" of this city, to fill with laughter and welfare of children and adolescents admitted at Oncology and Hematology ward of the center.
The project is based on the psycho laughter therapy, and is implemented through the intervention and the work of therapeutic clowns. One of them, Dr. Manuel Verdecia, a specialist in pediatric oncology service of the regional hospital, commented:
"Our institution is a pioneer in the country in this type of therapy, and has had such good results that is widespread in other pediatric hospitals in the country. A similar project in Villa Clara, in Havana of course, and some other parts of Cuba.
"This year the Santiago had the opportunity to be visited by various groups of therapeutic clowns everywhere:" Madness Clown "from Argentina," International Clown therapy "of Canada, etc."
The work of therapeutic clowns of Santiago de Cuba, conducted by the doctors themselves professionals and healthcare institutions, is very well regarded by health authorities worldwide.
It is not only for the pediatric patient, art and therapy is essential. It is also for a child with speech difficulties, a teen with drug problems, an elderly depressed are in any health institution of our country ..., in short, art and therapy are linked since ancient order save or improve the lives of patients.
"What we do we fill us with satisfaction, because really we achieved a significant percent of curability and quality of life, and we have also been able to reintegrate these children and adolescents to society, his teaching, academic, and production in all sense, " argued Dr. Verdecia.