Donations for Julito, a Cuban with HIV whose case went viral on Facebook in mid-April, continued to arrive this Saturday, according to new videos released by Yosdiel Gattorno, the content creator who spearheaded the solidarity campaign.
Gattorno showed in a brief video the aid received and publicly thanked those who have supported the initiative. More help for Julito. Here they are receiving the items. "Thanks to my follower Luis," he said while showing the donated items.
In the same video, Julito confirmed that he is already taking his medication. "Are we taking our medications?" Gattorno asked. "Yes, we are already taking them," Julito replied.
Gattorno noted that the patient still needs "nutrition and medication" and urged him to have "discipline so that you can come out of this stronger."
In a second video, Gattorno addressed rumors circulating on social media about Julito's physical condition. Some users had claimed he weighed 20 pounds, a statement that Gattorno firmly denied. The man weighs 44 kilograms, he clarified, attributing the mistake to Julito "getting nervous" in front of the camera.
He also responded to questions regarding the destination of the funds raised. He published the phone number of Julito's brother so that any donor could directly verify that the funds were received, and warned that he might withdraw from the initiative if the pressure continues.
"I did this to help. They're making it seem like it's my responsibility and so I'm stepping back for now," she specified.
The case began to circulate in recent days when Gattorno posted on Facebook about his neighbor's situation. Julito had spent 20 days hospitalized due to a relapse related to his HIV and, upon returning home, found that his partner had sold all his belongings.
The response was immediate. Neighbors from the area donated essential items, and Cubans abroad sent money. Shortly after, Julito expressed his gratitude publicly. " I am very grateful for the help I am receiving. Thank you very much," he said.
The case illustrates the role that social media has taken on as a channel of solidarity in light of the collapse of the Cuban healthcare system, where HIV patients have been reporting a chronic shortage of antiretrovirals since at least 2019.
According to official Cuban data from November 2025, more than 35,373 people live with HIV on the island, with approximately 1,708 new diagnoses each year.
"I have no problem helping; life never has too much," concluded Gattorno, leaving the door open to continue supporting Julito as long as donations keep coming in.
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