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Urgent Appeal: Blood Donations Needed for Critically Injured Teen in Ciego de Ávila Accident

Monday, July 7, 2025 by Henry Cruz

Urgent Appeal: Blood Donations Needed for Critically Injured Teen in Ciego de Ávila Accident
Scene of the incident (left) and The minor urgently in need of blood donations (right) - Image by © Collage Facebook/José Alemán Mesa - Facebook/Guillermo Rodríguez Sánchez

There is an immediate need for blood types O- and O+ for 14-year-old Rafael Osvaldo Martínez Ramos, who remains in a critical condition following a severe accident on Sunday in Majagua, Ciego de Ávila. Those who can donate compatible blood are urged to step forward and respond to this urgent call.

Potential donors should get in touch with Orielys, who is coordinating the donations, by calling +53 5 6954512. Rafael was transferred to the Morón hospital, where he is battling for his life after suffering severe cranial injuries and numerous fractures throughout his body.

According to a Facebook post by Guillermo Rodríguez Sánchez, Rafael is currently the most seriously injured victim of the tragic road accident that has devastated the province. Medical authorities have reported that the young boy is experiencing constant bleeding, creating an urgent need for blood transfusions.

"His friends with compatible blood have already donated, but his bleeding is so severe that he requires more to stay alive. Surgeons have been tirelessly working for 20 hours to pull him back from the brink," Rodríguez Sánchez detailed. Rafael's family is going through a harrowing time. His father, who lives in the United States, cannot travel to Cuba to be with him because his immigration status is not yet resolved. From afar, the father has made a desperate plea to the Cuban public to help save his son's life.

The message has gained traction on social media, although those promoting it emphasize not using the "sad" reaction, as it reduces the post's reach. The main focus is to share the message widely to reach as many people as possible.

Mourning in Vicente

Residents of Vicente, located just eight kilometers from the city of Ciego de Ávila, gathered on Monday to bid farewell to the four individuals who lost their lives in the tragic accident that occurred on Sunday in Majagua.

"Such humble, simple people, always willing to share the little they have, are now saying goodbye to two boys, a girl, and a young man amidst indescribable grief," wrote Guillermo Rodríguez Sánchez on social media, sharing images from the funeral of three of the victims.

"Maikol Dayán (13 years old) was buried early, followed by the somber procession for Dairon (16 years old), Lian (14 years old), and Yordanis (23 years old). Mothers, fathers, grandparents, neighborhood friends, and neighbors are giving them their final farewell," Rodríguez Sánchez specified.

Three of the Four Fatalities Were Minors

The four individuals who have died so far are Maikol Dayán Torres González (13 years old); Dairon Sarmiento Domínguez (16); Lian Pozo Duane (14); and Yordanis Fernández Garrido (23), who passed away at the Morón hospital. The accident took place near Río Grande in the Majagua municipality, under circumstances that remain unknown.

The report indicates that 33 patients were treated in the emergency department of the Dr. Antonio Luaces Iraola Provincial General Teaching Hospital, seven of whom were minors. Out of these, nine patients with cranial and thoracic injuries—including three children—were transferred to the Roberto Rodríguez Fernández Provincial General Teaching Hospital in Morón.

The incident occurred on the morning of July 6, when a state-owned vehicle from the Hydraulic Resources Company, with license plate B-236623, overturned on the Río Grande stretch between Marroquín and Majagua. The vehicle, carrying several passengers, lost control, leading to the tragedy.

Critical Blood Donation Drive for Accident Victims in Cuba

What types of blood are urgently needed for Rafael Martínez Ramos?

Blood types O- and O+ are urgently needed for Rafael, who is in a critical condition.

How can potential donors help Rafael?

Interested donors can contact Orielys at +53 5 6954512 to coordinate their donation.

What is the current situation of the accident victims in Ciego de Ávila?

The accident resulted in four fatalities and numerous injuries, with several patients requiring urgent medical attention.

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