A 15-year-old Cuban girl is reaching out for support on social media to gain the chance to live without being tethered to a hemodialysis machine.
Claudia Melisa Cambar Venegas suffers from kidney disease and is undergoing treatment in Santiago de Cuba. She is seeking a transplant abroad due to inadequate conditions for such procedures in her home country.
Her plight was shared on Facebook by activist Nelson Álvarez, known as El Porfiao.
The Struggle for a Normal Life
Three times weekly, Claudia spends four hours connected to a machine at the Hospital Infantil Norte Docente "Dr. Juan de la Cruz Martínez Maceira," commonly referred to as La Ondi.
"When I’m on dialysis, I feel exhausted, dizzy, cold, and like crying. It’s four hours where I can’t move, and even though I try to smile, inside I’m thinking about everything I’m missing out on," the young girl expressed in her GoFundMe campaign.
Community Efforts to Save Claudia
Álvarez publicly appealed during an interview with CiberCuba, urging the community to rally behind Claudia. "I urge all your followers, my friends, and the entire community to help with Claudia Melisa's situation. Her life, largely, is in our hands," Álvarez emphasized.
The Healthcare Crisis in Cuba
Claudia's circumstances highlight the dire state of the Cuban healthcare system: although her brothers are suitable kidney donors and willing to help, the transplant cannot occur on the island. "In Cuba, despite having good and dedicated doctors, we lack the resources for a transplant. There aren’t enough medications, supplies, or conditions," Claudia explained.
Brazil emerges as a feasible option, offering free surgery, hemodialysis, and hospitalization through its public health system. The family aims to raise $9,000 to cover Claudia's airfare and that of a companion, their stay for at least six months post-transplant, non-covered medications, and administrative expenses.
Álvarez assured the transparency of the fundraising effort: "Visit my page for the GoFundMe link, which the family created. Not a cent passes through our hands. The family’s cards are listed for donations."
The activist, who has successfully helped five critically ill children leave Cuba for treatment abroad within the past year and a half, acknowledged the personal toll of his work: "This mission has cost me greatly, even leading to my divorce."
Broader Implications for Cuban Patients
Claudia’s case is not unique. Hemodialysis patients in Santiago de Cuba reported an acute crisis this month due to a shortage of essential concentrates, resulting in delayed and shortened treatments at the same hospital where she receives care. According to state media Escambray, only about 3,000 patients were receiving hemodialysis in Cuba as of 2025, down from over 4,500 in 2021.
"Whether you can donate one, five, or ten dollars, you are buying a piece of my future. If you can’t, sharing my story on your social networks, WhatsApp groups, or with your contacts abroad is just as valuable as a donation," the teenager concluded. Her closing message encapsulates her plea: "I don’t want to just survive, I want to live."
Understanding Claudia Melisa's Medical Journey
What is the medical condition affecting Claudia Melisa?
Claudia Melisa suffers from a kidney disease requiring regular hemodialysis treatment.
Why is a kidney transplant not possible in Cuba?
Cuba lacks the necessary medical resources, including medications and supplies, to perform a kidney transplant.
How can people assist Claudia Melisa?
People can help by donating to her GoFundMe campaign or by sharing her story to raise awareness and support.
What alternative has the family considered for Claudia's transplant?
The family is considering Brazil, where the public health system offers free surgery, hemodialysis, and hospitalization.