A fundraising initiative on the Crowdfunder platform has successfully gathered over $11,000 to support the surgery of Lester Domínguez, a young man from Holguín who has been wheelchair-bound since a machete attack injured his neck more than three years ago.
Organized from Las Vegas, Nevada, by an individual known as "Sunrise H," the campaign aims to reach a total of $50,000. As of this past Monday, it had attracted 269 donors, with 49 days remaining before its deadline on September 21, 2026.
The primary goal is straightforward: to fund the operation that could help Lester regain his ability to walk.
On Sunday, Lester shared a video on Facebook detailing his circumstances and requesting assistance from his followers: “Hello everyone, I am Lester Domínguez, the young man who was attacked with a machete three years ago during a robbery. I now need to raise $30,000 for my surgery in the United States. I have secured an emergency humanitarian visa and need to pick it up on September 11.”
He emphasized that the funds are managed directly: “No intermediaries handle the money; it goes straight to the account,” referring to the U.S. hospital where his surgery is planned.
For those unable to donate, Lester asked for help in spreading the word: “If you can’t donate, please share the video and tag people to reach a wider audience. Thank you very much, and God bless you.”
His father, Dennis Domínguez, shed light on the medical urgency of his son's condition: Lester has a reversed vertebra that is progressively compressing his spinal cord, threatening total paralysis without timely intervention.
“Time is of the essence here, as the vertebra is increasingly compressing the spinal cord, which could leave him completely paralyzed,” he wrote on Facebook.
The compression has worsened to the point where Lester can no longer open his hands or operate his wheelchair independently.
The Tragic Event and Its Aftermath
Lester's ordeal began on March 21, 2023, when, at the age of 16, he was attacked with a machete in San Germán, Holguín, over a Huawei phone.
The resulting incomplete C5 spinal injury left him in a wheelchair, leading to months in intensive care with mechanical ventilation, a tracheotomy, bedsores, pneumonia, and bacterial infections.
The assailant, Adrián Grass Bermúdez, was apprehended after Lester’s phone was found buried in his backyard. The Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Holguín sought 20 years of imprisonment for robbery with violence and intimidation, plus an additional four years for ongoing theft.
The trial took place on May 15, 2024, and the case was concluded awaiting a verdict.
Challenges with Medical Assistance
In August 2025, doctors confirmed Lester could undergo surgery in Cuba, but due to the collapse of Cuba's healthcare system, the procedure was never scheduled.
His father has publicly criticized the Cuban government for offering no assistance for over a year.
FAQs About Lester Domínguez's Situation and Fundraising Efforts
What is the fundraising goal for Lester Domínguez's surgery?
The fundraising campaign aims to collect $50,000 to cover the costs of Lester's crucial surgery in the United States.
How can people support Lester if they cannot donate?
Those unable to donate are encouraged to share Lester’s video and message to help reach a broader audience.
What medical condition is Lester Domínguez facing?
Lester has a reversed vertebra compressing his spinal cord, which could result in complete paralysis if not treated promptly.