Arts.Advocacy+Wellness: "Broadway mourns the loss of its Youngest Star"

The Broadway Community

and the Cast of The Lion King

Remembers

Shannon Skye Tavarez

January 20, 1999 - November 1, 2010

It's sad when life for our youth comes to a sudden end, and even more difficult when that young one is very near to you. On November 1st, we lost a dear friend, Shannon Taverez. An honor student at PS 176 in Queens, NY as well as a young aspiring and emerging Singer from Queens who got her big break at playing Young Nala in the Broadway Company of The Lion King.

In April 201, Shannon was diagnosed with AML (acute myelogenous leukemia), a cancer of the myeloid line of blood cells characterized by the rapid growth of abnormal white blood cells that accumulate in the bone marrow and interfere with the production of normal blood cells.

I personally had the opportunity of sharing the stage with this vibrant and humble young girl. Today, we pause to celebrate the life of Shannon Taverez and all the young and older people she inspired.

If you would like to find out how to become a donor please contact DKMS at (866) 340-DKMS or send an email to info@dkmsamericans.org.

And, to further Shannon's mission and Shannon's family's devotion to recruiting donors, click here to find out about GetSwabbed.org.