A baby born in Yaguajay, a municipality in Sancti Spíritus, urgently needs help after being diagnosed with epidermolysis bullosa, a genetic, degenerative, and incurable disease that causes extreme skin fragility, for which the Cuban health system lacks the necessary supplies.
The call was shared on Facebook by Shakira Ochoa Olivera, who described the situation of the young girl, originally from the locality of El Río.
Ochoa Olivera clarified that medications and supplies are prioritized over cash, although financial support is also accepted for those who cannot send materials: "We prefer medicine over money, but many people ask me for the card because they are far away and want to contribute."
The person responsible for receiving and managing the resources is Misleydis Díaz, the baby’s aunt, who takes care of her directly.
"I know the situation is tough for everyone, but there are others who are worse off. Contributing a little bit to a cause like this is always worthwhile. We never know when we might be the ones in need," Ochoa Olivera stated.
User Daniela Matías listed on the medications and products the baby needs: Gentamicin, Hydrocortisone, triple antibiotic, vaseline, and neutral pH bath gel.
Those who wish to contribute can contact Misleydis Díaz in Cuba at +53 5 9063113, Shakira Ochoa in Havana at 54358050, or Daniela Matías in the United States at +1 (954) 766-5412.
Subsequently, Ochoa Olivera expressed gratitude to those who have donated baby clothes, medications, diapers, and hygiene products to assist the little one in his battle against illness.
"Every contribution, no matter how small it may seem, means a lot to him and his family," he said on Facebook, where he shared photos of the donated items.
“Let's continue sharing. Let's continue helping. Let's keep demonstrating that when a community unites for the life of a child, there are no borders that can stop it,” he emphasized.
Epidermolysis bullosa—commonly known as "butterfly skin disease"—is a rare hereditary condition that is estimated to affect one in every 50,000 newborns. The skin of those who suffer from it blisters and injures with the slightest touch, heat, or friction. In the most severe cases, blisters can also form in the mouth, throat, or stomach, and complications include infections, septicemia, malnutrition, and anemia.
More and more cases like this are appearing on social media: families with children suffering from skin diseases who must rely on networks of solidarity because the healthcare system does not provide the basic supplies they need. Non-adherent dressings, gauze soaked in petroleum jelly, silicone dressings, and topical antibiotics that these patients require daily are virtually impossible to obtain in Cuba.
In July 2024, the case of Liam Vento Garriga, a child from Pinar del Río, who has the same disease, was documented, at that time noted as the only case in that province among approximately 27 recorded in Cuba. Months later, in April 2025, his father once again sought help because the necessary materials for his treatment were not available in Cuba.
In June of this year, also from Sancti Spíritus, the family of Nashly, a baby with lamellar ichthyosis, another rare genetic skin disorder, was asking for help to obtain Aveeno cream, which is also not available in Cuba.
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