A Cuban mother has made a heartfelt appeal for assistance to travel to Argentina with her seven-year-old son, Eithan Urbay Rosell, who suffers from a rare chromosomal disorder still under investigation. She revealed that he has been accepted for specialized care at a medical center in the country.
Dalma Rosell Marrero shared her plea on Facebook, detailing her son's condition, described as an "unbalanced structural chromosomopathy on the short arm of chromosome 3," for which a definitive diagnosis remains pending.
"I reach out to you with my heart in hand, asking for help for my son Eithan Urbay Rosell, 7 years old," wrote the mother. She explained the challenges faced in trying to take her son out of Cuba to secure the medical care they have sought for years.
Rosell announced Eithan's acceptance for treatment at the Jérôme Lejeune Foundation Medical Center in Argentina. In response to skepticism from some individuals, she posted images of documents she claims verify this acceptance.
"This is not a scam. Eithan's case is real, and the documents are legitimate," she emphasized.
Challenges in Securing Travel
The family now faces the hurdle of traveling. Rosell stated her intention to apply for a humanitarian visa, although she has yet to receive a letter she deems necessary from the Cuban Ministry of Public Health for the process.
The main issue, she highlighted, is financial. "The only thing missing is financial support, for which I am trying to start a fundraising campaign," she explained.
The mother clarified that she does not currently have accounts on GoFundMe or Zelle and has not found family or friends abroad to help set up these fundraising mechanisms. As a result, she turned to the solidarity of the Cuban community directly.
"Without you, I don't think we can make it," she wrote.
Facing Challenges and Public Consequences
Her message took on a more somber tone as she described the repercussions she claims to have faced since publicly denouncing the challenges in securing care for her son. "Everyone here knows what happens and what we risk when we decide to speak out. All doors close to us, and everyone knows that. Our only support is the community," she asserted.
This plea comes after years of the family's efforts. Rosell previously reported that she had spent nearly four years trying to obtain the specialized genetic studies Eithan needs, with the Cuban state yet to pay the laboratory in Argentina where these were supposed to be conducted.
At that time, she explained that the boy was stable but still without a conclusive diagnosis. The family had indicated that, to date, a karyotype had been performed, with more advanced tests like a full exome and microarrays pending. According to the mother, these tests are not available in Cuba.
Rosell believes these studies could help clarify her son's genetic condition and guide his medical care more specifically. For this reason, she has long called for Cuban healthcare institutions to facilitate these studies abroad.
She had previously expressed fear about the potential consequences of making her situation public: "I want to make the complaint because nothing is a lie. But I need support because once I do, all doors will close to me," she wrote earlier.
She also made it clear that she could not do without the care Eithan receives in Cuba until the necessary resources to move him abroad are available. After years seeking answers for her son, the mother contended that those living with rare diseases in Cuba are "invisible to the State and society."
Addressing the Challenges of Seeking Medical Treatment Abroad
Why is Eithan Urbay Rosell seeking treatment in Argentina?
Eithan has a rare chromosomal disorder, and specialized medical care that can aid in diagnosing and managing his condition is available in Argentina.
What are the main obstacles faced by the family?
The primary challenges include financial constraints and obtaining a humanitarian visa, compounded by the lack of support from the Cuban government.
How is the mother seeking financial support?
Dalma Rosell Marrero is reaching out to the Cuban community and attempting to start a fundraising campaign, although she currently lacks formal fundraising accounts.
What has been the community's response to her plea?
The community's response is crucial, as Rosell has expressed that without their support, achieving the goal of Eithan's treatment abroad seems unlikely.