Janet Oliva, a Cuban mother of a five-year-old girl suffering from leukemia, has shaved her head in solidarity with her daughter and is seeking assistance for her treatment at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami.
Oliva shared a photo on her social media, showing her shaved head alongside her daughter, Valentina Méndez Oliva, demonstrating her unconditional love and support in the fight against acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a condition Valentina has endured since she was two years old.
In her post, Oliva reiterated a plea she made in early July on social media, requesting help to obtain a humanitarian visa that would allow her daughter to receive treatment at the prestigious medical center in Florida, following initial treatments at the Institute of Hematology in Havana.
Valentina has been treated at the Cuban hospital since her diagnosis in November 2021. "In March of this year, she completed her full treatment, but a bone marrow test revealed the presence of more malignant cells, indicating that her marrow was infiltrated. She began a stronger relapse treatment on June 10," explained Oliva.
"At the Institute of Hematology in Cuba, the doctors are excellent, and despite everything, the care and dedication are good. However, there are not enough resources for such a strong treatment, which is why I am trying to obtain the humanitarian visa," emphasized Oliva.
According to family posts, Valentina and her mother remain hospitalized in Havana, awaiting the humanitarian visa, which is already being processed, to allow the young girl to receive treatment in Miami.
The Miami hospital has already sent an acceptance letter to hospitalize Valentina and administer "a high-risk chemotherapy treatment, which is not available at her current hospital," said her aunt, Olga Oliva, who also shared a GoFundMe account to raise funds for their travel.
"This little girl and her mother lack the resources to sustain their stay during the treatment at the hospital, which, given the severity of her condition, will be long and challenging for this little warrior and her devoted mother," she added.
A family friend residing in Florida created a GoFundMe account to help cover the travel and treatment expenses for both mother and daughter. The goal is set at $30,000, with $1,250 raised so far.
Valentina's family is placing all their hopes in the generosity of others to make her treatment and recovery possible as soon as possible.
"My warrior princess, with you until the end of the world," her mother declared, determined to do everything within her power to save her daughter's life.
Support for Valentina's Leukemia Treatment
Here are some commonly asked questions and answers regarding the situation of Valentina Méndez Oliva and her treatment for leukemia.
What condition is Valentina Méndez Oliva suffering from?
Valentina Méndez Oliva is suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow.
Why is Janet Oliva seeking treatment in Miami?
Janet Oliva is seeking treatment at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami because the advanced treatment options available there are not accessible in Cuba.
How can people help Valentina and her mother?
People can help by donating to the GoFundMe account set up to cover the travel and treatment expenses for Valentina and her mother.