Brianna Charlette Blanco, a young girl who traveled from Cuba to Spain in search of a life-saving operation, is scheduled for surgery this coming Thursday.
Activist Lara Crofs shared on Facebook, "Brianna now has a date for her surgery; she will be operated on by Dr. Pedro Cavadas in Valencia this Thursday."
Brianna, a 10-year-old girl, has been suffering from a thyroglossal cyst with a fistulous tract since she was three. She has undergone three unsuccessful surgeries in Cuba, with the tumor reappearing each time.
With a heart filled with hope and gratitude, Crofs announced, "We have great news today. Brianna, the young Cuban girl who crossed the Atlantic with her mother, Yanaris Charlette, seeking a pain-free life, will undergo surgery on Thursday, November 27th, at 7:30 AM by the renowned surgeon Pedro Cavadas at Vithas Valencia 9 de Octubre Hospital."
At the start of November, Brianna and her mother arrived in Spain following a fundraising campaign and the acquisition of a humanitarian visa.
Crofs explained that "the €2,000 needed for hospital admission have been fully covered, thanks to the swift and generous response of the Cuban community and many kind-hearted individuals demonstrating that solidarity knows no borders."
Activists Crofs and Saily González Velázquez, who have supported the campaign to save Brianna, shared that the mother and daughter have been warmly welcomed by a network of friends and supporters who have provided love and effort without reservation.
"Thanks to this chain of kindness, Brianna had her initial consultation, and everything is set up for the operation that could change her life," Crofs added.
She extended special thanks to Gretell Kairús Pérez, Siro Cuartel, and especially to Amalia Barrera—our guardian angel—for opening their hearts and home from day one.
"This is living proof that when we truly unite, anything is possible. On Thursday, we will all be sending our thoughts and hearts to ensure Brianna comes out of the operating room with a big smile and a future full of possibilities. Stay strong, Brianna! No one's letting go of your hand here! Will you join us in sending all the positive energy in the world this Thursday at 7:30 AM? She will feel it!" concluded Crofs.
The Battle of a Young Girl and Her Mother’s Determination
Brianna has been battling a thyroglossal cyst with a fistulous path since she was three, affecting her tongue and extending towards her throat, compromising her ability to swallow, breathe, and speak. Her voice began to deteriorate due to vocal cord compression, further complicated by choking episodes and malnutrition.
In January, Cuban doctors confirmed what her mother already suspected: the country lacks the resources, supplies, and technology necessary to perform the precise operation her case requires. The diagnosis concluded with the words "surgical procedure impossible," extinguishing all hope within the Cuban healthcare system.
Yanaris decided to break her silence and publicly seek help—through videos, messages, and interviews—not to gain attention but out of fear that the tumor would grow large enough to completely block her daughter's airway.
Solidarity That Transcended Borders
Saily González, an activist, organized a fundraising campaign from the United States. Over $6,900 was raised in a few months, but the total cost of the operation, estimated at $32,000, was far from being met. The second hurdle was obtaining a humanitarian visa. Amid the current U.S. restrictions, the process became a seemingly unsolvable maze.
Nevertheless, donations continued to pour in, keeping the campaign alive. A specialized hospital in Miami offered to take on the case, but on November 11th, Brianna and her mother received a visa to travel to Spain, where she will be treated.
The seemingly impossible path cleared thanks to the efforts of countless anonymous hands refusing to give up on the child's suffering.
"None of this would have been possible without every person who donated, shared, raised awareness, cared, and trusted... We've all been part of another solidarity chain allowing a 10-year-old girl, who lived in fear of not waking up due to lack of air, to eat, or even drink water, to have a real chance at healing," Saily shared on Facebook.
The Harsh Reality: Why This Journey Shouldn't Be a Miracle
While Brianna's departure brings relief, it also highlights a bitter truth: in Cuba, more families are forced to look beyond borders to save their children. The deficiencies in the healthcare system—lack of supplies, basic resources, outdated equipment, and deteriorating hospitals—have turned what should be a right into a challenge only overcome with external assistance.
Cuban doctors, who did their best with limited resources, acknowledged that Brianna's case surpassed the capabilities of the current system. Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. Many patients rely on travel, fundraising, special visas, and the goodwill of strangers to receive treatments that, in other countries, are part of routine medical services.
Stories like Brianna's illustrate how scarcity forces individuals to seek outside what is no longer available or functional within the country.
Key Questions About Brianna's Journey and Healthcare Challenges
What condition does Brianna suffer from?
Brianna suffers from a thyroglossal cyst with a fistulous tract, which has affected her tongue and throat since she was three years old.
Why couldn't Brianna undergo surgery in Cuba?
Cuba lacks the necessary resources, supplies, and technology to perform the precise operation required for Brianna's condition.
How did Brianna and her family manage to travel to Spain?
Through a successful fundraising campaign and the acquisition of a humanitarian visa, Brianna and her mother were able to travel to Spain for the surgery.