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Kudos to Rihanna.
The platinum-selling music superstar is lending her name and using her influence for something other than promoting a product. The 'Pon De Replay' singer is urging her fans to help save the life of Shannon Tavarez, an 11-year-old star of Broadway's hit musical 'The Lion King' who was recently diagnosed with acute leukemia.
"Being a performer myself I know what it's like to be given the opportunity of a lifetime at a young age, and I would have been destroyed if that was taken away from me," the Def Jam Records chart topper and CoverGirl spokeswoman said. "Shannon deserves to live and share her beautiful voice with the world."
Rihanna, who Tavarez considers her idol, got wind of her plight and felt she had to do something to help – urging her fans to register with DKMS at WWW.GETSWABBED.ORG to save Shannon's life and the lives of other leukemia patient's life.
Tavarez, who performed four shows a week as young Nala in 'Lion King,' needs a bone marrow transplant. Her mother is African American, and her father is Dominican. According to a spokesperson, only 8 percent of the 7 million registered donors are African American, which means that only 17 percent of African Americans in need of a transplant will receive one.
"When I found out, it hit me really hard, like someone was throwing a ball at me," said the talented tween, who currently lives at Schneider Children's Hospital in Long Island, where she receives daily chemotherapy treatments. "It was shocking and I thought, why me?"Brought to America in 2004 by Katharina Hart, the organization's mission is to save lives by recruiting bone marrow donors for leukemia patients. More than 20,000 DKMS donors have helped save lives by donating their bone marrow. Founded in 1991 by Peter Hart in Germany, DKMS is the largest bone marrow donor center in the world with more than 2 million registered donors.
"When I listened to Shannon's voice, I got really sad. Her voice is so beautiful. She should be performing on Broadway, but she is confined to her bed, fighting for her life. Shannon needs to find a bone marrow donor to survive. I urge all my fans to register with DKMS," said Rihanna, who has close ties to DKMS.
The cost to DKMS for registering a new potential bone marrow donor is $65. DKMS does not make paying the fee mandatory, but it depends on public donations and appreciate any contribution.
Comments: (31)
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By: ADMR on 7/09/2010 8:47PM
Is This the Same Girl Whose Mother CRITICIZED Robin Fenty or Someone Else
ALWAYS Be Aware Of Who You Are Helping/associate Your Name With;I was " schooled " to this along time ago.
To Change The Subject - GLAD J, B, & Ri were a No Show at BET 2010...AND
Why In The World Would Drake, who has REALly Grown On ME say that Robin Fenty made him feel Small & Nervous - Jus Askin
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By: Jo Jo on 7/12/2010 9:19AM
I guess you weren't school, in forgiving and praying for someones health. You are doing the same thing as her mother besides, it has nothing to do with this story. This story is about a child that is very ill and may die. She needs help! and a overload of prayers. Someone who has what she need to live, Not some tired old drama. I am sure there are other section in this site for the conversation you want to carry on for the healthy entertaiment drama.
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By: Carolyn James on 8/17/2010 1:13AM
I'll be 61 in August, I wonder if me or my son might be a candidate for a bone marrow match for this young actress. My Grandmother was from the Dominican Republic, on my Mother's back ground. My Grandma was married to my Grandfather whom was born in Pakistan, India, both are all deceased. My Mother was married to my father of Afro-America decent. My son is a product of my decent and his Father whom was born in the Inland of Jamaica. With all these mixtures of family backgrounds, could we possibly have matching gems somewhere to help this aspiring young actress?
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By: Gail Roberts on 7/15/2010 10:07PM
Bless you Carolyn for wanting to help. You yourself may be over the age limit to be a potential donor, however, if your son is between the ages of 18-60, strongly encourage him to sign up with the National Marrow Donation Program at www.marrow.org. If you or others would like additional information, a recent novel "7 Dayz on 7 Mile" by Detroit authors James McKinney and Keith Robinson explores the crisis minorities face when in need of bone marrow transplants, and has a very informative appendix explaining more about the donation process. The book is available at www.on7mile.com. Let's help spread the word and help save more lives.
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By: suzi on 7/11/2010 4:07AM
Celebs like Rihanna only do for people if they can get pr attention to keep their name in the media.
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By: Nett on 7/12/2010 10:00AM
Rhi Rhi is trying to help someone in need and its hateful people like you that makes this world so hard to live in.
She doesn't need pr tactics to keep her name & face out there. Instead of criticizing her why don't you take your ass down there & see if you can help this child...if not S T F U!
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By: Pechus on 7/13/2010 2:02PM
Suzy, I'm with You on that assessment. You never saw Michael Jackson use someone elses' misfortune as a pubicity stunt!! He very quietly took care of business where no one knew what he was doing until the intrusive tabloid media could run him down being nosy. I'm pleased that many in entertainment are trying to be a little more giving based on Michael's examples, but they need to lose the "front page news" act and just go ahead and do it.
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By: vobox3343 on 7/13/2010 9:55AM
And then there are folks who are so miserable themselves, that they can't or refuse to see good in anyone. Would that be you?
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By: Ms Hearn on 7/14/2010 9:17AM
that is so true
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By: Susan on 7/15/2010 8:54PM
Pechus, think about what you said for a minute. "You never saw Michael Jackson use someone elses' misfortune as a pubicity stunt!! He very quietly took care of business...." Really??? Well asking people to donate bone marrow is not something you can do "quietly". It's important to get the word out there. I swear, some people don't have the brains they were born with. You're an idiot. I can't believe you and Suzi would be so clueless and mean spirited. You can hate Rihanna all you want, but she's trying to save a young girl's life and all you can do is be critical and cynical. Shame on you. I hope you never need medical intervention from a stranger, because karma, my dears, is a b****.
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