The Cuban actor Jorge Martínez shared a deeply human message on his social media, revealing that during the most critical stage of his cancer illness, he sought hope also in traditional and spiritual medicine.
I was desperate, as I believe happens to everyone who is ill,” the artist confessed in a video posted on Instagram, where he publicly spoke for the first time about his visit to a man known as Cristóbal, or “Cristo,” as he is called in the town of Fomento, in Sancti Spíritus, who helps people seeking relief through unconventional methods.
“I have never said that this person was the one who healed me,” the actor clarified, “but they were part of that moment when one tries everything to survive.”
Martínez explained that he chose to make the information public after receiving many requests from people who, like him, are facing serious illnesses and are seeking answers wherever possible. "I respond because it was part of my experience when I was ill... and in a truly desperate situation," he confessed.
What saved me was a compilation of many things, she asserted, referring to the combination of medical treatments, alternative therapies, and the positive attitude she adopted to cope with the process.
In his message, Martínez detailed that Cristóbal is available in the town of Fomento on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, between 8:00 a.m. and noon. He warned that one should arrive early because there are usually many people. “When I used to go, it wasn’t as well-known, but by six in the morning there was already a line,” he pointed out.
Even though it is very clear that he is neither a doctor nor a miraculous healer, the actor wanted to share the information with those who are going through painful moments. “Maybe someone needs that hope... I needed it too.”
With a voice tempered by experience and the humility of one who has faced death up close, Jorge Martínez concluded his testimony with a simple yet powerful message: “I wish you all good health. May you not lose faith. And approach life with a positive mindset.”
In March, the actor revealed on the YouTube show "La Familia Cubana" that he lives with only one lung after facing two episodes of cancer, the first in the lung 12 years ago and the second, more recently, in the throat.
In that interview, he revealed that the doctors had given him only six months to live, while he continued filming scenes with spots on his neck, saying nothing and relying on makeup to conceal his condition.
During his recovery, marked by the loss of his palate, salivary glands, and a drastic weight loss down to 42 kilograms, he lived alone and without assistance.
"I did everything myself, even though I didn't have the strength to cook for myself", she recounted. Thanks to a friend, she managed to spend a year in Italy, where she found refuge and was able to stabilize her health.
A beloved figure among the Cuban public
Jorge Martínez is not only one of the most recognizable faces on Cuban television, but also a critical voice who has experienced the effects of censorship firsthand.
In 2006, the popular Sunday program El Expreso, which he hosted, was abruptly canceled after the management of the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television (ICRT) deemed it “unacceptable” for the actor to marry his partner, a dancer from the troupe, on air.
Years later, Jorge himself lamented the lack of support from cultural leaders, in contrast to the backing he has always received from the public.
He also participated in the film Últimos días en La Habana by Fernando Pérez, and was interviewed on programs such as Con dos que se quieran, where he shared how he quit smoking after years of consuming two packs a day, a habit that led him to develop advanced cancer with a cyst nearly six centimeters in his left lung.
Frequently Asked Questions about Jorge Martínez and His Battle Against Cancer
How has Jorge Martínez's battle against cancer been?
Jorge Martínez has faced two episodes of cancer, the first in the lung and the second in the throat. During his recovery, he lost his sense of taste and his salivary glands, in addition to experiencing a significant weight loss. Despite these challenges, the Cuban actor found support through medical treatments, alternative therapies, and a positive attitude.
Who is Cristóbal, the person who helped Jorge Martínez?
Cristóbal, known in his community as "Cristo," is a healer who serves people in Fomento, Sancti Spíritus. Jorge Martínez visited him during his illness seeking hope in unconventional methods. The actor clarifies that Cristóbal did not heal him, but he was part of his personal experience in the search for relief.
Why was the program "El Expreso," hosted by Jorge Martínez, canceled?
The program "El Expreso" was canceled after Jorge Martínez married his partner on screen, which was deemed "unacceptable" by the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television (ICRT). This act sparked a wave of censorship and sanctions that ultimately ended the broadcast of the program.
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