Fire devours the home of Cuban girl Lía, who is fighting a tough battle against leukemia

A new tragedy has struck the family of Lía Isabel García Torres, the six-year-old Cuban girl who is suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia and whose story of struggle has rallied thousands of people inside and outside of Cuba.

On Friday afternoon, the house that the family was renting in San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque - located at 74th Street #5716 between 57 and 63 interior - was engulfed by a fire that consumed all their belongings.

Yailé Torres's husband, the father of the little girl, suffered severe burns during the incident. He was urgently transferred to Havana and has since returned, although, according to those close to him, the physical and emotional scars still remain.

The devastating news was shared on social media by the user La Tijera, who called for the community's solidarity.

"The family has lost everything. Lía needs us. Yailé needs us. If you can help with donations, essential items, or by sharing this post, you are already making a difference," she wrote on Facebook, where she shared Yailé's contact number: 55357831.

And the money raised for the girl?

Following the fire, many on social media inquired about the more than 30 thousand dollars raised on the GoFundMe platform to cover Lía's treatment at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami.

Some voices suggested using part of that money to help the family recover from this new tragedy.

In response to those comments, activist Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia -one of the promoters of the fundraising campaign- clarified that after the U.S. Embassy in Cuba denied the minor a visa, the process began on U.S. soil, which takes longer and requires proof of financial support.

Therefore, those funds cannot be used, as they are part of the visa process.

"The priority remains to obtain that visa. Unfortunately, they lost everything, absolutely everything! But they are alive, and they will move forward because God is with them," Salcedo expressed on Facebook.

The little girl's mother, for her part, posted a video in which she thanked everyone for their solidarity and insisted that the GoFundMe money should continue to be used solely for her daughter's medical treatment.

"As you know, Lía has a GoFundMe, but it cannot be used because we are still processing her visa for the United States so that she can receive treatment for her leukemia," she emphasized.

A long road of struggle

The story of Lía, who resides in the province of Mayabeque, has moved hundreds of people.

Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia last year, she has faced multiple complications during her treatment at the Juan Manuel Márquez Pediatric Hospital in Havana, including admissions to intensive care due to adverse reactions.

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami accepted their case, but their family will have to face the costs of stay and treatment, as they have no relatives in that country, only friends who will support them. Therefore, funds were raised to cover the expenses.

Thanks to the efforts of activists like Yamilka Lafita (known as Lara Crofs) and Diasniurka Salcedo, the goal of raising 30 thousand dollars for Lía to receive specialized care in Miami was achieved early this year.

However, immigration challenges posed obstacles to this dream.

Despite everything, the community remains united around the cause. In the midst of pain and loss, their story continues to be a symbol of hope, resilience, and the collective strength that emerges when it is needed most.

To help Lía's family, you can contact the phone number +53 5535 7831

Frequently Asked Questions about the situation of Lía Isabel García Torres