A young Cuban woman with chronic kidney failure is seeking financial assistance to leave the country and receive a kidney transplant, the only option she has left to live, which is not available to her in Cuba.
For almost a decade, Ayamey Valdés, 19 years old, has lived each week like a countdown. Three days a week -Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday- she spent connected to a machine that filters her blood at the Pediatric Hospital of Centro Habana.
Her tiny body, measuring just 1.50 meters and weighing 39 kilos, is marked by the illness she contracted at the age of 10, which has turned her childhood, her youth, and her future into a race against time.
On the platform GoFundMe, where a campaign is open to raise $15,000, it was clearly explained that they are in terminal stage and urgently need a kidney transplant.
"Together with my mother, I have identified a hospital where I can receive the care I need, but I do not have the resources. That is why I am asking for help on this platform. If you look up my story in the media, you will know that I do not have time to wait. I have lived my entire life this way. I have not been able to continue my studies, but I am still young..." she detailed.
"I hope that for every person who helps me, life returns everything to them in health, that they never find themselves in my situation, and I extend my heartfelt gratitude to them," he added.
An article published in the Spanish newspaper El País describes the ordeal of Ayamey, who was an energetic and happy girl before suffering from kidney failure.
According to her mother, Yurama Bolaños, the illness came on suddenly: a rash on the skin, blood in the urine, fever. Medical diagnoses failed, and after 36 hours without urinating, her kidneys collapsed.
Thus began a life marked by catheters, injections, scars, and absences. She left school, lost her physical growth, and over the years, she has said goodbye to each of the children who shared the dialysis room with her. She is the last one left.
The report highlights that in Cuba, the healthcare system, which was once a source of national pride, is now facing a crisis of supplies, personnel, and conditions that lead to an increase in cases like that of Ayamey.
Although it is officially stated that the country resumed kidney transplants in 2022, doctors and patients argue that the practice is virtually at a standstill. Nephrology wards are operating at minimal capacity: catheters, medications, and filters are lacking. Many specialized nurses have left.
Ayamey is treated at Miguel Enríquez Hospital, where she must bring her own supplies and where often there are no basic medications such as erythropoietin, iron, or hypertension medications. Recently, she suffered a rupture of her arteriovenous fistula and was on the verge of losing her left arm.
The young woman needs to leave Cuba to survive. Her mother is seeking funds in any way she can and is appealing for solidarity.
Its story not only highlights a disease but also the decline of a public health system that can no longer save its most vulnerable patients.
Frequently asked questions about the health situation in Cuba and the history of Ayamey Valdés
Why does Ayamey Valdés need to leave Cuba to receive medical treatment?
Ayamey Valdés needs to leave Cuba to receive a kidney transplant, as the healthcare system on the island is facing a crisis of supplies and personnel, which has virtually halted the practice of kidney transplants. Although it is officially stated that transplants resumed in 2022, the reality is that there is a shortage of catheters, medications, and specialized staff. Ayamey's situation is critical, and time is a crucial factor for her survival.
How is Ayamey Valdés raising funds for her kidney transplant?
Ayamey Valdés is raising funds through a campaign on the GoFundMe platform, where she explained her situation and the urgent need for a kidney transplant. The goal of the campaign is to raise $15,000 to cover the costs of the transplant and travel outside of Cuba. In her message, Ayamey expresses gratitude for the support and hopes that those who assist her will receive a return in health and well-being.
What is the current situation of the healthcare system in Cuba?
The healthcare system in Cuba is facing a severe crisis due to a lack of medical supplies, medications, and specialized personnel. This situation has resulted in many patients, such as Ayamey Valdés, being unable to receive the necessary treatments on the island. Although the Cuban healthcare system was historically regarded as a national pride, it currently cannot adequately care for its most vulnerable patients.
What other cases similar to that of Ayamey Valdés have occurred in Cuba?
There are several cases similar to that of Ayamey Valdés in Cuba, where patients with serious illnesses cannot receive the appropriate treatment. The case of Dailén, a girl who also needed to leave Cuba to receive a multi-organ transplant, is an example. The lack of resources and specialized care has led many families to seek international help and turn to fundraising campaigns to treat their loved ones abroad.
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