In a heartbreaking announcement, Cuban activist Yamilka Lafita (known as Lara Crofs) shared the passing of baby Rafael Junior Chávez Carrera, just eight months old, who was in critical condition at William Soler Hospital in Havana. He suffered from severe liver failure and kidney complications. "With profound sorrow, we share the tragic news that little Rafael has left us. His small body couldn't endure any longer, but his light, his sweetness, and his courageous battle will forever remain in our hearts," Lara posted on Facebook on Saturday.
Two days before his passing, the infant faced acute kidney failure and a severe bacterial infection that further deteriorated his condition, leaving him critically ill. He went more than 24 hours without urinating, indicating that his kidneys were failing. Doctors warned that if he couldn't urinate, the organ damage would become irreversible. A severe systemic inflammatory response, triggered by an aggressive bacterial infection in his kidneys, also affected his neurological system. Despite treatment with antibiotics and diuretics to prevent brain swelling, his condition worsened rapidly.
Rafa's case touched thousands of hearts both in Cuba and abroad. Diagnosed with idiopathic neonatal hepatitis at just a month old, this rare disease did not stabilize as it sometimes does. Instead, it progressed to severe liver failure. Initially treated in hospitals in Ciego de Ávila, he was transferred to William Soler Hospital, where doctors confirmed the urgent need for a liver transplant—a procedure not available in Cuba. His mother, Yanet Carrera, was a compatible donor, but health authorities did not provide a viable alternative.
For weeks, his family tirelessly fought to save him, seeking urgent assistance through social media and independent outlets, hoping to secure a humanitarian visa to transfer him to Spain. His father, Rafael Chávez, pleaded for help to take him to a country where he could receive treatment. "My son wants to live. He needs to live. He deserves a chance. His liver has stopped functioning, and the only thing that can save him is a transplant. I am a compatible donor, but in this country, these transplants aren't done. The only solution is to get him out of the country as soon as possible," he implored.
Doctors at La Paz University Hospital expressed willingness to receive him, similar to the case of Amanda Lemus Ortiz, a Cuban child saved by an international solidarity campaign. Unfortunately, this opportunity did not arrive in time for Rafa. His death has sparked an outpouring of grief and solidarity on social media. "Rafa does not leave us completely. He lives on in every hug we gave, in every gesture of empathy, in every voice raised to seek help. His brief time in this world touched many lives," Lara Crofs concluded in her farewell.
His family, friends, and all who supported his fight will remember him as a true warrior of light.
Key Questions about Rafa's Tragic Journey
What was the main cause of Rafa's health issues?
Rafa suffered from idiopathic neonatal hepatitis, which led to severe liver failure, compounded by kidney complications and an aggressive bacterial infection.
Why couldn't Rafa receive a liver transplant in Cuba?
Liver transplants are not performed in Cuba, and despite his mother's compatibility as a donor, the authorities did not offer a feasible solution.
What efforts were made to seek treatment for Rafa abroad?
His family sought help through social media and independent media, hoping to obtain a humanitarian visa to transfer him to Spain for treatment.