All posts tagged Shannon Tavarez

Wow! Rihanna and Alicia are pulling their star power together to find a bone marrow donor for Shannon Tavaraz, an 11 year-old Broadway star who plays Nala in “The Lion King.” In April she was diagnosed with an acute form of leukemia.

In a statement to People Tavarez says, the news “really hit me hard.”

Her struggle also struck a chord with Alicia Keys and Rihanna. The singers, who both started their careers when they were young, decided to help get the word out that Tavarez needs a bone marrow transplant to live. Keys says she was touched when she visited Tavarez on July 2 in the Long Island hospital where she receives daily chemotherapy treatments.

“For her, the sky is the limit, but now she’s fighting for her life,” the mom-to-be, who is asking fans to become donors, tells PEOPLE. Keys hopes Tavarez and other patients like her to have the chance to “grow up to live their dreams.”

Rihanna seconds that sentiment. “[Tavarez] should be performing on Broadway, but is confined to her bed, fighting for her life,” Rihanna tells PEOPLE. “She needs to find a bone marrow donor to survive. I urge all my fans to register [as donors]. It’s the most beautiful thing someone could do, to give the gift of life.”

Listen to Shannon’s beautiful voice below and find out how you can help!
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