A shipment of 3,400 kilograms of powdered milk collected by groups of Cubans living in the United States and other U.S. organizations in solidarity with Cuba was received in Havana on Monday.
 
The donation, which arrived at José Martí International Airport, has an approximate value of 15,813 dollars and will be donated to the oncology hospitals in Havana and Holguín, in eastern Cuba, and to senior citizens of the Salvation Army home, according to the promoters of the initiative.
 
This donation was sponsored by the El Pan Foundation, Cubanakoa, Global Health Partner, and the Michigan State Milk Producers Association, among others, to be distributed by the Cuban Council of Churches (CIC).
 
Félix Sharpe, the representative of the EL Pan project in Michigan, pointed out that this is the result of the efforts of Cubans living in the United States committed to the welfare of their people and demonstrates that Cuba is not alone.
 
He also called for the elimination of the U.S. blockade of the Caribbean island. He pointed out that this gesture is great hope for a better tomorrow on the road to establishing normal relations between the two countries.
 
For his part, Mark Friedman, coordinator of the Hands off Cuba Committee in the city of Los Angeles and representing the Saving Lives campaign, described the achievement of this donation as another victory of solidarity.
 
He announced a new campaign consisting of 125 thousand dollars to acquire four anesthesia machines and other supplies and instruments destined for the Calixto García Hospital in Havana.
 
Joel Ortega, president of the Cuban Council of Churches and pastor of the Presbyterian Church, said that gestures like this show that "a better world is possible, that love is stronger than hate, and that peace is the most important thing".
 
He said that behind this campaign there were thousands of people who showed their solidarity with the people of Cuba, who for more than six decades have been facing a cruel blockade "that must cease" and recalled that for years the churches of Cuba and the United States have worked against this unjust policy.
 
Meanwhile, Alexis Martínez, an official of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment, expressed the gratitude of the Cuban people and government to the non-governmental organizations, religious communities, companies, and individuals who made this donation possible.