A Cuban family is desperately seeking help to save the life of baby Rafael Junior Chávez Carrera, an 8-month-old boy who urgently needs a liver transplant, a procedure that cannot be performed in Cuba.
The request for support was shared on Facebook by Yosmelis Chávez, the minor's uncle, who shared a heartfelt message written by the child's own father.
In the post, they are asking for the case to be shared widely so that it reaches compassionate individuals and institutions that can facilitate a humanitarian visa and medical transfer abroad.
"My son wants to live. He needs to live. He deserves a chance. His liver has stopped functioning, and the only thing that can save him is a transplant. I am a compatible donor, but in this country, these transplants are not performed. The only solution is to get him out of the country as soon as possible," wrote the father.
A devastating and untreatable diagnosis in Cuba
Rafael Junior is currently admitted to the William Soler Hospital in Havana. He was diagnosed with idiopathic neonatal hepatitis from the first month of life, a condition that usually stabilizes by six months, but in his case worsened significantly.
According to the doctors, the liver has stopped functioning, and the prognosis depends solely on a transplant surgery that can only be performed abroad.
The family has provided the reference number 50171166 for those who wish to collaborate or share their story with authorities, consulates, humanitarian organizations, or international media.
The case is reminiscent of the story of Amanda Lemus
The case of Rafael Junior shares similarities with that of Amanda Lemus Ortiz, another Cuban girl suffering from biliary atresia. Although her father was also a compatible donor, Cuba did not provide a viable medical solution for her.
Thanks to an intense solidarity campaign led by the activist Yamilka Lafita and support from the international community, Amanda was transferred to Spain, where she underwent surgery in less than two weeks. Today she is in stable recovery.
Urgent call
Rafael's family is asking for their baby's voice to be heard in order to find a solution before it's too late: "He is a strong boy; he just needs a chance to live. May this message reach those who can help us."
Frequently Asked Questions about the case of baby Rafael Junior Chávez Carrera
Why does Rafael Junior Chávez Carrera need a liver transplant?
Rafael Junior Chávez Carrera needs a liver transplant because his liver has completely stopped functioning due to idiopathic neonatal hepatitis. This disease was diagnosed since his first month of life and has worsened severely, making the transplant the only possible solution.
Why can't a liver transplant be performed in Cuba?
In Cuba, there are currently no liver transplants being performed due to a lack of specialized medical resources. This limitation forces families to seek treatment abroad, further complicating the situation for families like Rafael Junior's, who must find ways to obtain humanitarian visas and funding for travel.
What actions are Rafael Junior's parents taking to save their son?
Rafael Junior's family is seeking assistance through social media to obtain a humanitarian visa and medical transport abroad. They have shared their story on Facebook, asking the international community, authorities, and supportive organizations to join their cause in providing the necessary treatment for their son.
Are there similar cases to that of Rafael Junior in Cuba?
Yes, there are similar cases to that of Rafael Junior in Cuba, such as that of Amanda Lemus Ortiz, who also needed a liver transplant. Thanks to a solidarity campaign, Amanda was transferred to Spain to receive the treatment she could not obtain in Cuba, highlighting the lack of specialized medical resources in the country.
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