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The Cuban actress and singer Iyaima Martínez Navarro urgently needs blood donations to undergo surgery next Monday at the Hermanos Ameijeiras hospital in Havana.
This was reported on social media by the artist Mariela López Galano, who requested immediate assistance to ensure medical attention.
"We are in need of a blood donation for Iyaima Martínez Navarro; blood type B+, but she can also receive donations of O+ and B-. She is being admitted on Monday at Ameijeiras, and fortunately, she will be undergoing surgery," wrote López Galano on Facebook, along with contact numbers to coordinate assistance.
The request arose after weeks of concern for Martínez's health, a situation that came to light in mid-May when calls for support from colleagues began circulating on social media.
At that time, actor Hamlet Paredes Grau warned that the artist was in an extremely difficult situation.
The request included painkillers such as tramadol and other strong medications, as well as any possible assistance that could facilitate the actress's treatment.
Just before, actress Katherine T. Gavilán had also made a call for essential supplies such as disposable diapers, absorbent sheets, and anti-decubitus creams, appealing to the solidarity of both those living in the capital and those traveling to Havana with the possibility of donating items.
From these campaigns, the case generated a wave of support among artists, followers, and friends from the Cuban cultural scene.
According to later updates, Iyaima was at home, stable but without mobility, and thanks to the donations received, she was able to have adequate food, basic medications, wet wipes, and other essential supplies for at least the following weeks.
He also received a wheelchair and a Fowler bed, arranged by UNEAC, which additionally provided transportation for medical appointments.
"He will continue to need constant assistance," Gavilán warned at the time, emphasizing the importance of sharing information and maintaining the chain of solidarity.
A remarkable trajectory in Cuban arts
Born in Havana on November 16, 1974, Iyaima Martínez Navarro is a renowned performer in theater, film, television, and music.
A graduate of the National School of Theater Instructors, she has been part of the Punto Azul theater group since 2000 and has participated in notable film productions such as Madrigal, José Martí: The Eye of the Canary, The Wall of Words, and Insumisas.
On television, she was part of series such as Rompiendo el silencio and El último bolero. Additionally, she worked as a Voice and Diction teacher at the National School of Theatre.
As a singer, he has worked in genres such as trova, bolero, filin, jazz, traditional Cuban music, son, and guaracha.
Her artistic work has been recognized with awards such as the acting award shared at the Vital Teatro Festival (2001), as well as a special mention from the jury and the Terry Award (2019) for the monologue Fermentación.
A situation that reflects a broader reality
The case of Iyaima adds to an increasingly visible pattern in the Cuban cultural sector: artists facing serious difficulties in affording medical treatments, obtaining medicines, or accessing minimal care conditions.
This problem, which also affects athletes, retirees, and ordinary citizens, has turned public solidarity into a fundamental tool for survival amid the lack of resources and effective social protection mechanisms.
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