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Cuban activist Saily González Velázquez launched a solidarity campaign on social media this Monday to raise funds to save Brianna, a 10-year-old girl living in the La Sakenaf neighborhood in Santa Clara, who suffers from a serious condition known as a lingual thyroglossal tumor, which is already affecting her airways.
As González explained in a post on Facebook, Brianna has undergone three surgeries in Cuba, but the injury always returns.
The doctors who have treated her have advised her mother, Yanaris Charlette, that "with the resources they have, they can't do anything more," which has left the family with no options within the Cuban healthcare system.
A medical institution in Miami has taken on the case and represents, according to the activist, the only real opportunity for Brianna to receive the treatment she needs.
The campaign aims to raise $32,000, which will cover the costs of the surgery, airfare, and immigration procedures for the girl and her mother.
So far, thanks to generous donations, over $1,500 has been raised, but there is still a long way to go to reach the goal.
“We will not stop until Brianna has the chance to heal, to breathe without difficulty, to live like any girl her age,” stated González, who shared the link to GoFundMe for donations.
In recent years, fundraising campaigns on GoFundMe have become a beacon of hope for many Cubans, both inside and outside the country, in light of the shortcomings of the healthcare system and institutional limitations.
In January, the family of a girl identified as Daniela, a resident of Holguín and affected by a malignant tumor, launched a campaign to raise $50,000 with the aim of transferring her to the United States to save her life, after all available options in Cuba had been exhausted without success.
Similarly, in last March, another Cuban minor managed to leave the country thanks to citizen support and a massive social media campaign after being diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder.
Even outside the medical field, Cubans are turning to GoFundMe to support cultural and social projects. Filmmaker Lilo Vilaplana recently launched a campaign to finance his upcoming film, calling on the Cuban community to support independent production as a means to bring to light silenced realities on the island.
Frequently Asked Questions about the campaign to save Brianna, a Cuban girl with a tongue tumor
What is the objective of the campaign for Brianna?
The campaign aims to raise $32,000, an amount that would cover the costs of the surgery, airfare, and immigration paperwork so that Brianna and her mother can travel to the United States, where a medical institution in Miami has agreed to treat her case.
Why can't Brianna receive treatment in Cuba?
Doctors who have treated Brianna in Cuba have informed her mother that, due to the "shortages of medical supplies" and the lack of resources in the Cuban healthcare system, they can do nothing more for her. Brianna has already undergone three unsuccessful surgeries, and the tumor continues to reappear.
How can one support the campaign for Brianna?
To support Brianna's campaign, donations can be made through the GoFundMe platform. Additionally, sharing the campaign on social media can help increase its visibility and attract more potential donors.
What complications does Brianna face due to her lingual tumor?
Brianna suffers from a lingual thyroglossal tumor that has compromised her airways. The lesion causes choking, malnutrition, and affects her voice due to the compression of the vocal cords. Furthermore, there is a risk that the tumor could become malignant and speed up its growth.
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