In this March 25, 2010 photo provided by Disney Theatrical Productions, actress Shannon Tavarez is seen backstage at the Minskoff theater in New York where she was playing the part of Young Nala in the Broadway musical, “The Lion King.” Tavarez, 11, died Monday Nov. 1, 2010, after losing her battle with Leukemia. A founder of the bone marrow donor center DKMS, said Tavarez died at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park, on Long Island. (AP Photo/Disney Theatrical Productions, Jenny Anderson)
NEW YORK (AP) - A bone marrow donor registry drive is being organized in memory of the 11-year-old girl who starred as Young Nala in Broadway’s “The Lion King.”
Shannon Tavarez died in November of leukemia. Thousands of people registered as bone marrow donors, but a perfect match for her was not found.
The sixth-grader’s battle won the hearts of many, including Alicia Keys, Rihanna and 50 Cent.
On Sunday, the bone barrow transplant center, DKMS, will hold a donor drive at the Harlem School of the Arts from 1-7 p.m. The registry requires a simple swab of the inner cheek.
LINK: More Information
Shannon’s mother, Odiney Brown, says her daughter’s supporters will work tirelessly to fulfill her wish to help people in need of a bone marrow transplant.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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