La Fe Health Research Institute teaches CPR to children using stuffed animals in a “Tu Hospital Investiga” event that debuts its online format

The La Fe Health Research Institute (IIS La Fe) has held the third edition of the Tu Hospital Investiga event focused on familial heart diseases, incorporating for the first time a dedicated program for children. Through specially designed workshops, young participants learned how the heart works and practiced how to respond to an emergency by performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) using their stuffed animals.

Guided by nurse Susana Castillo -author of the children's book Som superherois- along with a team of biologists from the CAFAMUSME research group and cardiology residents, the children took part in workshops focused on the heart, blood circulation, and emergency response in a child-friendly environment. The activity equipped them with essential life-saving tools.

Another new feature of this edition was the live online broadcast, which allowed people to follow the event remotely and improved access to scientific content, reinforcing IIS La Fe's commitment to open and participatory science communication.

The event, dedicated to familial heart diseases and sudden cardiac death, brought together over fifty attendees in person. They heard from experts representing hospitals from across Spain, including Puerta de Hierro (Madrid), Complexo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña, and Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca (Murcia), who shared clinical experiences and findings from collaborative research networks.

Key topics included the costs of translational research, ethical coordination in multicenter projects, and the real-world impact of clinical trials from the patient perspective, with a personal testimonial. In addition, both theoretical and practical CPR training sessions were offered for adults, including the Heimlich maneuver for choking emergencies.

Support for Research

During the event, the Nacho Barberà Memorial Association presented a cheque for €10,125, raised over the past year, to support ongoing research into heart diseases and sudden cardiac death. The funds came from the sixth edition of the Nacho Barberà Memorial football tournament, along with donations from individuals and companies, lottery ticket sales, and membership dues from the association's 300 members.

Dr. Esther Zorio, coordinator of the CAFAMUSME research group and the Familial Heart Disease Unit at Hospital La Fe, opened the event alongside Dr. Pilar Nos, IIS La Fe's Scientific Director; Fernando Barberá, President of the Nacho Barberà Memorial; and Alfons Domínguez, Mayor of Alzira. All emphasized the importance of raising awareness and educating the public about hereditary heart conditions that may go unnoticed but can have serious consequences.

Through this event, IIS La Fe reaffirms its commitment to scientific research, health education, and social responsibility through science.