Yanarys Rodríguez is a Cuban mother who has been running a fundraising campaign for months to be able to have her daughter operated on in the United States. Brianna Charlette Blanco is 10 years old and suffers from a thyroglossal cyst with a fistulous tract at the base of her tongue. The girl has already undergone three surgeries in Cuba. The doctors on the Island have tried to make her life easier, but without satisfactory results. In January of this year, they already told her mom that there is nothing more that can be done due to the "shortages" in the country.
The injury that Brianna has on her tongue causes her discomfort when swallowing and currently keeps her with constant ear pain. To improve her health, the girl needs two things that seem almost impossible at this time: to raise the money required for the surgery at a hospital in the United States that has accepted her case, and, most difficult of all at the moment, to obtain a humanitarian visa amid the immigration policies implemented by the Trump Administration.
The fundraising campaign is organized by activist Saily González, who resides in the United States and will manage the donations. So far, she has raised just over $6,900, nearly a fifth of the budget for an operation of this kind, including visa and travel expenses, in the event that mother and daughter obtain the humanitarian visa.
But the pace of donations has slowed down, and that is why Yanarys Rodríguez is asking for help from the audience of CiberCuba: anyone who wants to make a donation, can click here and those who do not have the means to contribute financially can help by sharing this information, reaching out to a foundation, influencer, or company that might lend a hand. All support, no matter the source, is welcome.
Brianna has been facing a thyroglossal cyst with a fistulous tract in her tongue since she was three years old. This condition has caused constant complications in her health and has prevented her from leading a normal life. After undergoing three surgeries, the condition reappeared just a few days after the interventions.
Local doctors acknowledged that they lack the resources to provide a definitive solution. Thanks to the efforts of a family friend residing in the United States, Brianna was evaluated at a specialized hospital in Miami. The institution accepted her case for advanced surgery that would allow for the removal of the mass and prevent future complications.
The cyst extends from the base of the tongue to the throat and affects basic functions such as eating and breathing. Due to the location of the malformation, a high-precision surgical technique is required, which is not available in Cuba.
The total budget for the operation amounts to $32,000. This figure includes hospital costs, round-trip airfare, and the visa process for Brianna and her mother. The family does not have the necessary financial resources to cover this amount and has exhausted medical alternatives within the Island.
Individuals interested in collaborating can request access to Brianna's medical documents and obtain more information about the procedure and the management of the fundraising.
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