On Wednesday, April 9, at 4:00 p.m., a memorial mass will be held in honor of the Cuban child Damir Ortiz at the chapel of Colón Cemetery in Havana. The ceremony offers an opportunity for the community to join the child's grandmother in bidding a final farewell from the island. Activist Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia, who cared for Damir as if she were a beloved aunt, announced on Facebook that Father Jorge Luis will officiate the service.
Salcedo Verdecia emphasized that this farewell ceremony aims to be a collective expression of love for those who followed Damir's challenging journey with faith, concern, and affection during his last years. "We want to give thanks to God for Damir's life, for what he meant to those who loved him, and for the love and goodness that surrounded him and was drawn out of others by his life," Salcedo declared.
This spiritual gathering will also serve as a moment to pray for solace for his family, particularly his mother, and for peace for everyone who closely followed his story. "To say goodbye to Damir, to seek the light of paradise, so that God's mercy may reach everyone," she added.
In her message, Salcedo highlights the importance of coming together as a community to share in this time of mourning and healing, "so that we can be brothers and sisters, feeling the pain of others as our own, from that deep sense of humanity we all possess."
The mass will not only be a religious act but also a symbolic gesture, allowing the community that supported Damir throughout his life—with prayers, advocacy, acts of solidarity, or simple words of encouragement—to say their goodbyes as he deserves. "In this way, our people, who supported the child of the aunts, will feel they have also bid him farewell," she concluded.
Activist Lara Crofs, known as Yamilka Lafita, confirmed on social media that preparations for Damir's tribute are almost complete. "We are very tired after a long day of finalizing details," she expressed, thanking those who donated flowers, printed images, framed pictures, and offered gestures of affection. "To everyone who stopped me on the street for a hug... thank you all," she wrote.
Additionally, she shared an image of the portrait to be displayed during the ceremony, depicting Damir as the "little warrior" he was until his last breath.
Eliannis Ramírez, Damir's mother, shared a heartfelt and poignant message on social media a few hours after her son's passing. Written from the depths of profound sorrow, the Facebook post conveys the emptiness, sadness, and desolation only a mother who fought tirelessly for her child's life can feel.
Damir passed away early Saturday morning at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami, succumbing to a severe sepsis caused by a drug-resistant bacteria he contracted in Cuba. His case touched thousands, prompting activists and medical professionals to facilitate his transfer to the United States on March 12 in critical condition.
In the wake of his passing, after battling sepsis, Eliannis penned these words:
Remembering Damir Ortiz: A Community's Farewell
Who was Damir Ortiz?
Damir Ortiz was a young Cuban child whose battle with a severe illness captured the hearts of many. His journey and the support he received from the community highlighted the resilience and compassion within those who followed his story.
What is the significance of the mass at Colón Cemetery?
The mass at Colón Cemetery is a communal farewell, allowing those who supported Damir and his family to come together in mourning and celebration of his life. It is a moment for collective healing and gratitude for the love and solidarity shown throughout his journey.