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Despite receiving support from the likes of Rihanna, Beyonce, and 50 Cent, 11-year-old Broadway singer Shannon Tavarez died from acute myeloid leukemia.
As previously reported by BlackVoices, on Aug. 17, Tavarez received an umbilical-cord blood transplant as an alternative to a bone morrow transplant at Cohen Children's Medical Center in New York City. Before her surgery, she performed four shows a week as young Nala in 'Lion King.'
Since her diagnosis last April, the talented Broadway star has been through extensive chemotherapy while residing at Schneider Children's Hospital in Long Island.
"When I found out, it hit me really hard, like someone was throwing a ball at me," the young thespian revealed. "It was shocking and I thought, 'Why me?'"
Tavarez attended the Harlem School of the Arts, where she studied vocal and piano lessons since the age of 3. She made her Broadway debut in the 'Lion King' in 2009 following an open audition at the world-renown Apollo Theater.
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Comments: (18)
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By: Luke Easter on 11/02/2010 2:28PM
Shannon Tavarez (In Memorial) The Lion King
She was a youthful actress, exuberant, she would dance and sing,
Dead! “Acute myeloid leukemia” deleted her role in, “The Lion King,”
“Broadway Princess” acclaimed stellar performance in her own right,
The tender innocent age of 11, she battle valiantly but lost her fight.
April, the month of Easter Sunday, the Resurrection would change,
Faces of the world, salvation, snow would melt, the verge of Spring,
Plant the seed, plowing, harvest in mind, the birth of flowers bloom,
All this growth in mind for Shannon Tavarez it ended much too soon.
Repentance! For this pre-teen age girl wasn’t she much to young?
To have committed any evils that would cause her life to be done?
Matthew 19:13-15, Jesus talks about children, kingdom of heaven,
Doctors even preachers don’t know why death creeps in at just 11.
A beginning to an unexplained end, arrived, departed, with a smile,
She began feeling pain in her lower back and legs yet all the while,
Brave! Her story drew attention of numerous celebrities far & wide,
A desperate donor search, to no avail, succumbing, she has died.
Father I ask, why do the tender, pure in heart, so early have to go?
While the sinners multiply like fine crystals as rocky mountain snow,
Such a talented gift rained upon her life could only be from You, so?
Many unexplained early departures like Alliyah, one day we’ll know,
Harlem School of the Arts for vocals, piano & started singing age 3,
Wowing producers her first open audition for, “Nala” it’s no mystery,
Young Nala with Young Simba sang, “I Just Can't Wait to Be King,”
Sorry Shannon, you’ll have to settle for being a, “Kingdom Queen.”
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By: CHESSE on 11/03/2010 9:45AM
so beautiful,so inspired..thank you for this
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By: Theresa on 11/03/2010 11:38PM
I can't put in words how much you touched my heart with your poem to little Shannon, I hope her family reads this it will give so much comfort in their time of sorry. To the Tavarez family Just know that Shannon is a Shinning Star that brights up the Heavens we love her but God loves her best. RIP Angel
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By: Ms. Debbi on 11/04/2010 9:46PM
My heart and prayers go out to the family of Shannon Tavarez. She is truely gone to soon. She is now Watching over her family from Heaven. Shannon will be missed greatly. Wrest on My Angel Baby, wrest on!!!
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By: "DimePiece" on 11/02/2010 4:04PM
Condolences to the Tavarez Family and Friends. May God bless this family and to help give them strength and help get through these difficult and hard times! What a tragedy this lil girl had to suffer but had LOVE and SUPPORT from people world wide. She touched so many hearts and INSPIRED! Tears are coming down my eyes even though I didn't know this girl personally but touched my heart and just gave chills right now. I wish this on nobody's child. Let's remember her as beautiful, inspiring, talented, intelligent, loving, and giving lil girl! I couldn't believe, despite of her illness and chemo, nothing stopped this lil girl from performing 4 shows a week. BLESS HER LIL HEART. Now Angel, you will be singing beautifully in Heaven and won't have to suffer no more. Even her life was cut too soon, God was calling her home!
R.I.P. "Angel" Lil Star Shannon!!!
YOU WILL ALWAYS BE A BIG STAR* IN HEAVEN!!!
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By: beautifulleo on 11/02/2010 5:42PM
God rest her soul and give comfort to her family in their time of loss.
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By: AllBahianGirl on 11/02/2010 10:33PM
May this little girl rest in peace. My manicurist's Dad just celebrated his 112th b-day on October 7th. Sometimes I wonder why God gives some people longevity and some so little time here on this earth. I guess we will never know this side of heaven. We all have to live each day to the fullest cause tomorrow really is not promised to anybody.
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By: Zenobia on 11/03/2010 3:33AM
One answer to the question of longevity is just what the above poster said. We will understand it better one day. Also, it is the quality, I believe and not the quantity. I lost two children. A two year old whom I mourned forever and asked God a lot of irrevelant questions, like, "Why not take some criminal, or something"? I was young and hurt, then three years ago, I lost a 39 year old son, the pain cut just as deeply. My mother passed at 72, but my grandmother lived to be 103 and just died in 2006.
Seems as if this beautiful little girl who has passed from the earth, blessing everyone with her portrayal of Nala, has served the purpose that God sent her to do. She has been a light and now she has gone and has to suffer no more.
My prayers to her grieving family and those who tried to assist her. I know they must be devastated.
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By: g on 11/03/2010 10:19PM
Beautiful commentary about why Our Heavenly Father brings HIS Angels back home. It is so sad that this beautiful Angel Child was destined to go so soon, but it was in God's plan. And although I know the family must miss her terribly, I hope they find solis in knowing that she is in the hands of the Father, and is not suffering anymore. My 97 year old grandmother died recently, and the pain is still so raw and painful that sometimes I don't feel as if I can take it. But, God is good and everything He does is good, and I appreciate and accept His plan. Many blessings go out to the family, and I pray for your healing.
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By: AllBahianGirl on 11/03/2010 1:00PM
@Zenobia - I feel for you. I know that there can be no greater pain than for a mother to have to bury her own child. I can imagine the pain of having to move forward with your life while mourning the loss of your children. Since I turned 50 in May it's funny I've been thinking about death in a way I never have before because maybe I've been seeing more of it up close and personal. My Godfather always tells me that every breath is a prayer and he ain't never lied.I've learned to appreciate each moment with my loved ones and to try to live in the moment cause we never know who will leave us and it can be at any given moment.
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