Shannon Tavarez, Young "Lion King" Actress, Dies

Amid my search for election results, I came across the heartbreaking announcement that 11-year-old Shannon Tavarez, a young soprano who made her Broadway debut as Young Nala in the Lion King, died of acute myelogenous leukemia on Monday, November 1st. Diagnosed in April when she began feeling pain in her lower back and legs, a search for a bone-marrow match championed by singers Alicia Keys and Rihanna, and Rapper 50 Cent, was launched. Despite the 8,000 people who signed up as donors, a match could not be found. Tavarez' mixed African American and Hispanic heritage made the search for a donor more difficult because not as many people from those groups are signed up as potential donors. Tavarez' leukemia is also not usually found in children

Tavarez then underwent an alternative umbilical cord treatment in August and extensive chemotherapy at Cohen Children's Medical Center in New Hyde Park, on Long Island, where she died. .

Tavarez won the role of Young Nala at her very first open audition, beating out hundreds of other young singer/actresses, splitting the role with another girl. Until being forced to leave the show, she performed four shows a week. Tavarez started singing at age 3, and attended Harlem School of the Arts for vocals and piano. In "The Lion King," her character sings a duet with Young Simba, "I Just Can't Wait to Be King." At this site , you can see her sing an a cappella version of "The Circle of Life," and "Tomorrow," accompanied on piano.

Interviewed in hospital by The Associated Press after her diagnosis, she talked about how much she loved the theater. "It's an indescribable feeling, being on stage," she said. "I portray this character with fears, but who is so tough. I feel like that's who I am."

The National Marrow Donor Program says that 83 percent of African-American patients seeking marrow transplants fail to find one after six months. Tavarez urged people to be tested, saying "Some people think that the test for compatibility is scary! ... All it really takes to get started is a cotton swab on 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."

On Tuesday evening, The Minskoff Theatre, the Broadway theater presenting "The Lion King," dimmed its marquee lights "in honor of a fallen lion cub." In Swahili, the name "Nala" means "gift." What a shame this gift named Shannon Tavarez was taken so soon. Hopefully this brave girl's story will spur more people to register as donors or be tested.

Sources: TVGuide.com;Yahoo News