Great news for Damir: The boy tests negative for leukemia

Good news continues to arrive from the Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami, where the Cuban boy Damir Ortiz was transferred in critical condition to receive specialized medical care.

The 10-year-old does not have leukemia, as diagnosed at the Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery in Havana in February.

According to his mother, Eliannis Ramírez, new tests were conducted on her son that completely ruled out the diagnosis of Burkitt leukemia.

"Damir, negative for Burkitt leukemia diagnosis, is confirmed; he does not have that type of leukemia. We continue on, because where there is a will, there is a way, and hope remains intact. Thank you, God, soon my son will have a true diagnosis and quality treatment," expressed Ramírez on .

"Will any diagnosis in Cuba be real and trustworthy?" he questioned.

On Friday, Eliannis mentioned that it was likely the child did not have leukemia. "We will wait to see the results to confirm it, but it’s the most probable outcome," she stated at the time.

For her part, activist Aylin Díaz commented on the stable condition of the child, who is showing reactions that indicate progress in his development.

"He responds to questions with gestures from his head and hands. His lungs are improving and they are already treating the detected bacteria. He's less inflamed!" he indicated on his Facebook account.

Damir suffers from neurofibromatosis type 1, a condition that led to the development of a plexiform neurofibroma in his right eye, affecting his vision and causing severe ocular inflammation. Additionally, he has faced other complications, including kidney damage and a significant drop in platelets and hemoglobin, which have resulted in bleeding and the need for transfusions.

The little boy arrived in the United States with a bacteria in his lungs that was not reported in Cuba, his mother has stated.

The boy is getting better, thank God, little by little. It's noticeable. Bit by bit. I'm always there and I see the difference," she stated.

In a previous post, Ramírez displayed a sweater with the phrase "SOS Damir," expressing his gratitude to the community that rallied to save his son’s life.

The minor traveled to Miami on an air ambulance funded by Cubans on the Island and in exile, after overcoming numerous obstacles.

Due to the deterioration of his health in Cuba, activists like Diasniurka Salcedo, Aylín Díaz, and Dr. Miguel Ángel Ruano made efforts to transfer him to Miami. The process involved overcoming bureaucratic, economic, and legal barriers, such as obtaining a humanitarian visa for Damir and his mother, in addition to hiring a medicalized plane due to the child's critical condition.

Salcedo has publicly denounced that the delay in the authorization for Damir's transfer from Cuba was key in the deterioration of his condition, holding the regime responsible for jeopardizing his life. "If he had been allowed to travel earlier, his health would not have been so critical. The Cuban government allowed a child to suffer before accepting his transfer," he noted.

Damir's story, marked by the struggle to access appropriate treatment, continues to raise criticisms about the effectiveness of the Cuban healthcare system and its ability to ensure quality diagnoses and treatments.

Meanwhile, the family remains hopeful that he will receive the care he needs for his full recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Health Situation of the Cuban Child Damir Ortiz