Shannon Tavarez Lost Leukemia Fight, Inspired 10,000 Bone Marrow Donors
NEW YORK (CBS/AP) Shannon Tavarez, the 11-year-old actress who performed beside a king, has died a hero.
After fighting to raise awareness for leukemia and bone marrow transplants, the little girl finally succumbed to the disease. Shannon died Monday afternoon at Cohen Children's Medical Center in New Hyde Park, on Long Island, of acute myelogenous leukemia, a common type of leukemia among adults, but rare among children.
She had played the role of Young Nala in Broadway's "The Lion King."
"She was a remarkable and talented young lady who touched the lives of those she entertained, as well as those who cared for her over the past several months," medical center said Tuesday in a statement.
In August, we reportedon Shannon's difficulty in finding a suitable bone marrow transplant and her decision to try cord blood instead.
Cord blood, harvested from donated umbilical cords, is easier to match for transplants, but because it produces fewer cells than bone marrow, it is sometimes less effective.
Shannon is of mixed heritage, which made it especially difficult to find a bone marrow match. The young actress did not despair.
"Some people think that the test for compatibility is scary!" she wrote on her website to encourage others. "All it really takes to get started is a cotton swab of the inside of your cheek."
"So please get tested today. Who knows? You might be my match. Or, you may be able to help other young people with similar illnesses. And remember... 'One swab will do the job.'"
Her call inspired celebrities and the public. Alicia Keys, Rihanna and 50 Cent took up her cause. At least 10,000 people registered as bone marrow donors because of it.
But in the end, none of it was able to help Shannon.
"It's rare that you meet such a spirited girl at such a young age," said Katharina Harf, who runs a donation center. "She touched so many people to register. She was really, really a special girl."
