Cubans raise over $10,800 in less than a month to treat a young person in Brazil

In less than a month, the Cuban community both on the island and abroad managed to raise more than $10,800 to transport Ayamey, a young woman in need of urgent medical attention.

The family, consisting of her mother and stepfather, recently arrived in Florianópolis, Brazil, where they already have a home in a building that hosts a large Cuban community. Additionally, they are located near the renal hospital where Ayamey hopes to receive specialized medical care at no cost.

According to journalist Mónica Baró Sánchez, who initiated the fundraising campaign, Ayamey arrived in Brazil in a fragile health condition, characterized by low hemoglobin levels and with limited treatment options in Cuba. Her goal is to receive a kidney transplant and strive for a dignified life.

Of the $10,808 raised, approximately $3,700 has already been spent on the family's relocation. The remaining funds will be used to cover the first six months of living expenses in Brazil, while Ayamey stabilizes and her mother can focus on taking care of her. The young woman's stepfather will begin working as soon as possible to help support the family financially.

Mónica Baró also shared a screenshot from the GoFundMe platform, showing the net amount received after deducting the platform's fees: $10,417.89. Later on, the family will share a message of gratitude and confirmation of the total amount received.

“Thank you once again to everyone who contributed whatever they could, who donated or shared, and helped give Ayamey a chance to live,” expressed Baró Sánchez in an emotional message posted on social media.

Since the age of 10, Ayamey has been connected to a dialysis machine three times a week. Her small body, measuring just 1.50 meters and weighing 39 kilograms, bears the marks of a childhood marked by illness with catheters, scars, injections, school interruptions, and the loss of many fellow patients. She is the last survivor of her dialysis group at the Pediatric Hospital of Centro Habana.

Despite their struggle, options in Cuba are practically exhausted. Although the government claims to have resumed kidney transplants since 2022, doctors and patients assert that the program is stalled. In hospitals such as Miguel Enríquez, where Ayamey is currently receiving treatment, basic supplies like medications, filters, iron, and erythropoietin are lacking, and often they have to bring their own supplies. Recently, she suffered the rupture of her arteriovenous fistula and was close to losing her left arm.

"If you search for my story in the media, you'll know that I don't have time to wait... I hope that for every person who helps me, life returns it all in health," Ayamey wrote in her message on GoFundMe.

This case is part of a series of solidarity initiatives led by Cubans in recent times. Among them, the most notable is that of the deceased child Damir Ortiz, diagnosed with type 1 neurofibromatosis and acute leukemia, who was transferred to the United States thanks to a campaign that raised over $36,800 in less than 24 hours to fund an air ambulance.

In Ciego de Ávila, the Cuban community raised more than 1 million Cuban pesos and around 1,080 dollars in just four days to buy a house for an 88-year-old woman and her daughter, a teacher, who were living in extreme poverty.

Additionally, Lía Isabel García Torres, a five-year-old Cuban girl diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, successfully raised the 30,000 dollars needed for her treatment at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami, thanks to a solidarity campaign driven by activists and the Cuban community.

In Matanzas, two young Cuban women organized an initiative to collect clothing and other supplies for children without family support, highlighting the importance of community solidarity in times of crisis.

Frequently Asked Questions about the campaign to help Ayamey Valdés