Amanda Lemus Enjoys a Normal Life in Spain After Liver Transplant

Cuban activist Yamilka Laffita, also known as Lara Crofs, shared a photo on Tuesday confirming the recovery of Amanda Lemus Ortiz after her liver transplant in Spain. Laffita reported that Amanda is now living a normal life with her parents in the European nation.

"Mila and Enmanuel now live with the peace and joy of seeing their daughter grow as healthily as possible," wrote the activist. She added that while Amanda has to go to the hospital regularly for check-ups, she has started to "live," meaning to lead a normal life with her parents.

"Mila tells me that she is very hyperactive and always laughing, she is happy. She can now sit up on her own, eats very well, and if things continue as they are, she might start walking next year," added Laffita. She mentioned how what once seemed like an almost impossible dream has turned into a beautiful reality thanks to the intervention of many kind-hearted people.

"Amanda became the child that brought hope to many Cubans both inside and outside of Cuba. The solidarity and support that this family received were touching and wonderful. The life of this little girl was a cry from Cuban civil society, united in one voice, beyond ideologies, beliefs, and race," the activist affirmed, taking the opportunity to reiterate her gratitude to many individuals and groups who helped spread Amanda's story.

"Thank you to everyone involved, the independent press that never left Amanda's side, all my friends and acquaintances, all the mothers who treated the baby girl as their own, the Aliento de Vida solidarity groups, the Ministerio Cristo Cambia Vidas, and Limay Blanco," wrote Laffita. She also extended her thanks to the anonymous donors and the Spanish doctors who operated on Amanda with such love and care.

In the comments section of her social media post, hundreds of people expressed their happiness over this hopeful story and extended their gratitude to the activist who had been a pivotal figure in helping Amanda and her family.

In a previous photo shared on July 15, exactly four months after the transplant, Amanda was shown continuing to make progress. However, the journey has not been easy. During these months, the child suffered several setbacks due to the severe physical deterioration she had upon arriving in Spain.

A Journey of Hope and Recovery

The struggle to save Amanda's life began in January 2024 when her mother publicly apologized on Facebook for bringing her into a country where the healthcare system couldn't meet her medical needs. Amanda was suffering from a severe liver disease and urgently needed a liver transplant, but the limitations in Cuba prevented the procedure.

Over several weeks, activists, independent media, and supportive Cubans raised the necessary funds for Amanda to travel to Spain with her parents in search of help. In March, Amanda arrived in Spain, where doctors were shocked by her severe health deterioration, noting that precious time had been lost in addressing her condition.

On March 15, Amanda underwent a liver transplant in a Madrid hospital. The operation was successful, marking the beginning of her recovery. However, the road was fraught with difficulties due to complications from resistant infections she contracted in Cuba. Despite these challenges, Amanda has shown remarkable improvement over time.

In June, Yamilka Laffita shared two photos illustrating Amanda's impressive recovery—the before and after of a girl who literally came back to life. On June 21, Amanda reached another milestone in her recovery when doctors removed the IVs and catheters she had needed during her treatment, marking a significant improvement in her physical condition.

In recent months, Lara Crofs has repeatedly thanked everyone who helped bring Amanda out of Cuba to give her a new chance at life. Sadly, many other children remain in Cuba, suffering from serious illnesses that would have much better prognoses if treated abroad.