The mass in memory of the Cuban child Damir Ortiz Ramírez will be held this Wednesday, April 9th, at 4:00 p.m. in the chapel of the Colón Cemetery in Havana.
The religious ceremony, sponsored by Father Jorge Luis, will allow family members, friends, and citizens to say a final goodbye from the island, according to details shared on the social network Facebook by the activist Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia.
Salcedo emphasized that the gathering aims to give thanks for Damir's life, provide spiritual support to his mother and relatives, and seek comfort for those who closely followed his story.
"We want to say goodbye to Damir, to seek the light of paradise, and to be able to feel the pain of others as our own, from that deep humanity that we all possess," wrote the activist.
The little Damir passed away in the early hours of Saturday, April 6 at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, after suffering from severe sepsis caused by a resistant bacteria he contracted on the island.
His case mobilized thousands of people, activists, and doctors both on and off the island, who made possible his emergency transfer to the United States on March 12.
Just hours after his passing, his mother, Eliannis Ramírez, shared a heartfelt message on Facebook.
A heart-wrenching text, written from the depths of sorrow, in which a mother recounts the raw experience of watching her child die. Her words have been widely shared as a testament to suffering, struggle, and injustice:
"When a mother sees her child lifeless in a coffin, she feels as if death is tearing her insides apart, her dreams, her hopes, her illusions. She feels her interior turn into a vast emptiness, feels as death takes her child away along with a part of herself, leaving her a woman far removed from life, leaving an empty shell that only wishes to break apart in search of everything that was taken."
"When a mother sees her child lifeless, she stops smiling from the heart and learns to draw a smile on her face each day. Her empty body only feels the pain of her soul; she becomes a shadow with no desire to live, gazing at the world with indifference, letting time pass by. She lives as if dead, trying to carry on, while her heart weeps because she will never again feel her child's heartbeat in this world. She can no longer look up at the sky and smile; now she looks up with eyes blurred by tears, searching for her child whom she can never see."
"When a mother sees her child lifeless, she is enveloped in sadness, and in her soul, pain takes root. The spark of her life fades, giving way to a pilgrimage of immense sorrow, seeking that final tear of an agony that will lead her to the great love of her life—her child. When a mother sees her child lifeless, she settles by their side, and a part of her departs… the part that belongs to that child who will never return."
"When a mother sees her child lifeless, she remains incomplete for the rest of her life."
Currently, Damir's mother has requested political asylum in the United States, and according to close associates, she fears returning to Cuba due to possible reprisals after having publicly denounced the medical negligence and bureaucratic obstacles they faced while trying to save the child's life.
Damir's ashes will remain in Miami. The mass at the Colón Cemetery will therefore be the symbolic farewell for the people who accompanied him from afar, amidst hope, pain, and indignation.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Mass in Memory of Damir Ortiz Ramírez
When and where will the mass in memory of Damir Ortiz be held?
The mass in memory of the Cuban child Damir Ortiz Ramírez will be held on Wednesday, April 9 at 4:00 p.m. at the chapel of the Colón Cemetery in Havana. This ceremony will allow family, friends, and citizens to say a final goodbye from the island.
Why was Damir Ortiz transferred to the United States for treatment?
Damir Ortiz was transferred to the United States due to a lack of resources and poor antibiotic management in Cuba, which resulted in severe sepsis from resistant bacteria. His case mobilized activists and doctors who facilitated his transfer to Miami for specialized medical care.
What impact did Damir's death have on the Cuban community?
The death of Damir Ortiz deeply moved the Cuban community both on and off the island, highlighting the shortcomings of the Cuban healthcare system. His story has become a symbol of struggle and solidarity, generating a strong call for justice and the improvement of the healthcare system in Cuba.
Why won't Damir's mother, Eliannis Ramírez, return to Cuba?
Eliannis Ramírez has requested political asylum in the United States and fears returning to Cuba due to potential reprisals after publicly denouncing the medical negligence and bureaucratic obstacles they faced while trying to save their son's life. The ashes of Damir will remain in Miami as part of this decision.
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