Family members and activists are rallying support to save Lía Isabel García Torres, a five-year-old Cuban girl courageously fighting leukemia. Yamilka Laffita, an activist known on Facebook as Lara Crofs, who previously led a campaign to help save Amanda Lemus, shared Lía's story on her Facebook page. She has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to secure funds for treatment at the Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami, which has agreed to take on her case.
A Childhood Marked by Health Struggles
Lía was born on January 9, 2019, at the Maternidad Obrera Hospital in Marianao. Her early years were spent in Cubatabaco, Artemisa, before moving to Mayabeque near a cement plant. Throughout her young life, she has battled numerous health issues, including pneumonia and respiratory crises.
Leukemia Diagnosis and Urgent Care Needs
Her condition worsened a few months ago when she began showing signs of bruising and pallor. After being transferred to the William Soler Hospital in Havana, tests confirmed that Lía had leukemia. She has been undergoing treatment at the Juan Manuel Márquez Hospital, where she has suffered adverse reactions and has required intensive care. Although she returned to the oncology and hematology ward, her treatment has faced interruptions due to complications.
Lía is currently in a critical phase of reintensifying her treatment. She remains weak, needing assistance to move, according to the Facebook post. The medications have taken a toll, but doctors are optimistic that she will be ready for a bone marrow transplant after this phase.
The Financial Challenge and Community Call to Action
While the Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami has accepted Lía's case, her family must bear the expenses of treatment and accommodation in the United States. Without relatives in the country, they are striving to raise the necessary funds.
"Every contribution makes a difference. We can come together to save Lía's life," her family urges, emphasizing the importance of support through the hashtag #SalvemosALia. So far, the GoFundMe campaign has reached only 1% of the $30,000 target.
Earlier this year, a similar campaign successfully helped Amanda Lemus, another Cuban child, receive a life-saving liver transplant. This highlights the severe challenges faced by Cubans, where essential medical procedures often aren't available due to resource limitations, and treatments can be disrupted by medication shortages.