Berlín Cristina: The teenager fighting leukemia and dreaming of soaring through the skies
At 14 years old, Berlín Cristina de León Castro keeps alive the dream of becoming a flight attendant and traveling the world. However, this longing currently faces a critical challenge: an aggressive battle against acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) that has led her family to request urgent help to save her life.
An urgent call for solidarity
The young woman’s medical situation has escalated to a point where conventional treatment in the country is no longer sufficient. Therefore, her mother, Karina Castro, has made a desperate appeal to authorities, foundations, and business leaders to arrange a humanitarian visa that would allow for her transfer from Berlin to the United States. The goal is for the teenager to be able to access an allogeneic bone marrow transplant, a vital procedure for her recovery.
Every minute counts and every contribution represents a hope that my daughter can access the specialized treatment she needs to continue fighting for her life.
Karina Castro, Berlin’s mother
Diagnosis and progression of the disease
Berlín’s struggle began on March 17, 2026, after presenting concerning symptoms such as paleness, bone pain, and bruising. After being admitted to the Plaza de la Salud General Hospital, she was diagnosed with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Although she initially showed a positive response to the more than 78 chemotherapy sessions, the path became difficult once again:
- Initial response: In May, studies indicated an absence of residual disease, allowing the medical protocol to proceed.
- Aggressive relapse: After experiencing severe lower back pain in August, a new bone marrow aspirate revealed a relapse with over 95% involvement.
- Critical need: Lacking a compatible sibling for a transplant, the only path to survival is to seek an unrelated donor at a highly specialized international institution.
Today, the Berlin Cristina family clings to citizen solidarity, trusting that the necessary support will arrive in time for the young woman to not only receive urgent medical treatment, but also have the opportunity to fulfill her childhood dream and see the world from the cockpit of an airplane.
