300+ BP measurements during the Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society’s Xmas Fiesta

The University of Nicosia is actively involved as one of many local organisations participating in the daylong event. At the entrance hall there was a small Christmas market selling items ranging from candles and honey to baked goods, while in the cafeteria, there was a variety of culinary offerings. Each year, however, the major attraction of the day is the song and dance performances by local schools, which continued in fifteen-minute blocks throughout the day. People of all ages come either to perform or to support children, friends, and family members who are performing. The plethora of intergenerational activities makes it a day-out for the entire family.

The diversity of community representation at the Christmas Fiesta uniquely characterises this Mobile Clinic destination. While most excursions take volunteers far out of the city, the Fiesta’s location right in the middle of Nicosia made for an equally rewarding yet more varied and high-energy experience. Students took turns in engaging with the crowd to inform and guide people towards the Mobile Clinic stand, where they could have their BP measured for free. A contribution box was placed on the table for those visitors who wanted to make a donation. Even the EAC mascot couldn’t resist!

One of the day’s first patients was a first-time Fiesta attendee, newly moved to Nicosia, who came with her two children. She was visibly pleased with the opportunity for a BP measurement, saying: “It’s good that the Mobile Clinic is providing the service because I’ve never had my BP measured, so today it’s just accidental, and it’s nice to see that it’s good!”

With such a diverse patient population came a broad variety of motivations, medical history, and perspectives among the patients. Curious children climbed up on chairs and proceeded to happily watch their arms become progressively engulfed by BP cuffs while smiling for their entertained parents. Young adult patients were mainly other volunteers or employees from vendors who had varying levels of concern but thought “why not? Since the Mobile Clinic is here, might as well…” Older patients approached our stand with more earnest interest. Almost none of these patients left before asking with genuine concern: “Is it OK?” Of those patients who had high BP readings, some had been previously aware of it, or had been monitoring it, although many were finding out for the first time at the Fiesta.

Throughout the entire day, the Mobile Clinic performed an estimated 300 BP measurements. This and the momentary breaks to watch performances, buy Christmas goodies and, of course, indulge in the various culinary offerings ranging from fondue to crêpes to risotto, made for a very full and fulfilling day.

According to Marlene Demetriou, the Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society’s Arodaphnousa Hospice plans to increase its capacity to double the number of rooms next year in order to accommodate patients who are at the earlier stages of cancer. It goes without saying that the Mobile Clinic Club will be back in full force to support this worthy cause…Perhaps Mickey and Minnie Mouse Santa will need their BP checks next year?

Student volunteers: Annefa Burke, Safaa Dimashki, Mohammad Ghotmi, Hassan Jouni, Ali Kareem, Danna Kashlan, Gabriel Lipsyc, Mohlaka Makenete, Ian McDermott, Kaviyanka Selvasandran, Zahraa Hachem, Sam Janion, Edwin Weisong, Michelle Mathieu, Nicholas Reid, Olivia Sondhi, Manisha Arachchilage, Mahmood Al-Rajhi, Dionysios Kostallas

Faculty/Staff volunteers: Dr Nicos Michael, Dr Chloe Antoniou, Ms Andrie Georgiou, Ms Eliana Christophorou