Doutors Palhaços celebrate 18 years with 500,000 interventions in the Campos Gerais

Doctors Clowns SOS Alegria, an organization founded in Ponta Grossa, turns 18 on Thursday (5) with a historic mark: 500,000 interventions carried out since the beginning of its activities. Recognized nationally for the work of hospital clownery, the institution operates in Ponta Grossa, Palmeira and Tibagi, bringing welcome, art and moments of relaxation to patients, family and health professionals.

Founded in 2008, the initiative started with only two volunteer clowns and has grown into an organization that brings together approximately 70 members. Of these, 37 are part of the cast that makes visits to hospitals, while the others act in the board, in the councils and in the training of the participants.

History of overcoming the trajectory of Doctors Clowns

Among the thousands of stories that are part of the 18 years of SOS Alegria is that of Felipe, who, at eight, had to be hospitalized after losing the movements of his legs.

The mother, Alexandra Maria Stravatti, recalls the anguish experienced by the family in 2013, when doctors were still investigating the causes of the paralysis.

During the hospitalization, the visit of two clowns transformed the environment of the room and brought a moment of hope to the family.

“They left that cheerful environment, full of life. It was as if a good energy had entered there,” Alexandra recalls.

According to her, Felipe smiled and played again after the visit. Later, the boy began to recover the movements of his legs.

Alexandra points out that the artistic intervention was not responsible for the physical recovery of the son, but had an important role in the emotional confrontation of that period.

"Although I know that it was not the intervention with the clowns that made him walk again, their presence brought hope for me and Felipe at a very difficult time," he said.

Today, Felipe is 22 years old, and the family keeps alive the memory of the welcome received.

From a dream to a reference in hospital humanization

The history of the organization began with the actress Micheli Vaz, who dreamed of combining medicine and artistic performance.

Inspired by the work of the Doctors of Joy, of São Paulo, and by the experience of accompanying a friend admitted for cancer treatment, Micheli decided to start the first hospital interventions in Ponta Grossa, alongside Bruno Madalozo.

The project gained space in hospitals, won the support of health teams and went through a process of professionalization.

Currently, volunteers perform interventions five days a week, following organized scales. The performance, initially concentrated in Ponta Grossa, was extended to Palmeira and reached Tibagi in 2025.

The organization also invests in the preparation of participants. Every two years, registrations are open for new classes of volunteers, who undergo specific training to work in hospital environments.

Art and volunteering transform the environment of hospitals

For the general coordinator of SOS Alegria, Bruno Madalozo, the work goes far beyond provoking laughter.

“At SOS Alegria, we understand art as a way to care for and humanize relationships. Our differential is in uniting volunteering to professional artistic training, through a methodology of our own that continuously prepares our cast to act in health spaces”, he explains.

According to him, the interventions are developed with sensitivity, listening and respect for the conditions of each patient.

The organization maintains projects approved by the Ministry of Culture since 2014, using cultural incentive mechanisms to sustain and expand its activities.

SOS Alegria celebrates 18 years and thanks community support

For Micheli Vaz, the 18th anniversary also represents the recognition of a collective construction involving volunteers, health professionals, sponsors and communities.

“After 18 years, we realize that the most important thing is not only in the laughter we provoke, but in the encounters we build. The art of the clown allows us to look beyond the state of health, recognize people in their humanity and create spaces for listening, affection and connection,” he said.

The project Salvando Risos, developed by SOS Alegria, is approved by the Ministry of Culture through the Law of Incentive to Culture, under the Pronac no 259072.

The initiative is sponsored by Paccar Financial, Granja Econômica, Águia Sistemas, Frisia, Unimed Ponta Grossa, Scherer Autoparts, Supermercado Rickli and Colegio Sepam. Support is provided by DAF Trucks and Premium Vila Velha Hotel, with executive production of ABC Projetos Culturais.

At the age of 18, SOS Alegria reaffirms its presence in the Campos Gerais, showing how art can contribute to make the hospital experience more welcoming and humane.