07.11.2010

Shannon Tavarez, Young 'Lion King' Actress Who Inspired Bone Marrow Registration, Dies

Shannon Tavarez, the 11-year-old actress who appeared as Young Nala in The Lion King on Broadway, lost her battle with leukemia on Nov. 1, friends and colleagues confirmed.

Ms. Tavarez underwent a transplant of umbilical cord blood on Aug. 17 in an effort to battle acute myelogenous leukemia. She inspired thousands to offer themselves as potential bone-marrow matches in several marrow drives earlier this year. A bone marrow match could not be found, so the umbilical cord procedure was attempted.

Ms. Tavarez died Monday afternoon at Cohen Children's Medical Center in New Hyde Park, on Long Island, according to Katharina Harf, co-founder of the bone marrow donor center DKMS.

Due to her illness, the young actress left the Broadway show in April. She shared the part of Young Nala with another actress for six months.

The Queens, New York, native was in the sixth grade, and, according postings on her website earlier this year, loved doing what most young kids with stars in their eyes loved doing — "acting, singing, dancing, playing Wii and watching 'Glee.'"

Ms. Tavarez, who is of mixed-race heritage, had a particularly difficult time finding a match because there are fewer registered marrow donors from such demographics. Touched by her effort to find a donor, pop stars Alicia Keys, Rihanna and 50 Cent picked up the banner and helped encourage people to contribute to the life-giving process. Her mother is African-American and her father is Dominican. African-Americans make up only seven percent of the national registry for donors, according to DKMS, the largest bone marrow donor center in the world.

"Shannon inspired 10,000 donors to register to become potentially life-saving matches with DKMS and we've already found potential matches," Harf told Playbill.com. "Shannon's family is devoted to continuing her mission to recruit donors."

Potential donors get a simple saliva swab and results are put into a wide database that may lead to helping others stricken with cancer. For information about how to register to be a bone marrow donor, visit www.getswabbed.org.

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'Lion King' actress dies from leukemia

NEW YORK – Shannon Tavarez, the 11-year-old who starred on Broadway in "The Lion King" and whose battle with leukemia won the hearts of many, including Alicia Keys, Rihanna and 50 Cent, has died.

Shannon died Monday afternoon at Cohen Children's Medical Center in New Hyde Park, on Long Island, of acute myelogenous leukemia, a common type of leukemia among adults, but rare among children.

"She was a remarkable and talented young lady who touched the lives of those she entertained, as well as those who cared for her over the past several months," medical center said Tuesday in a statement.

Shannon, who played the young lion Nala, had received an umbilical-cord blood transplant in August. The procedure was performed as an alternative to a bone marrow transplant. Her doctor, Dr. Larry Wolfe, said that a perfect bone marrow match for Shannon could not be found.

The search for a match was especially daunting because Shannon's mother is African-American and her father is Hispanic, from the Dominican Republic. For bone marrow transplants, minorities and those of mixed ancestry have a more difficult time finding good matches because there aren't as many people from those groups signed up as potential donors. Right now, 83 percent of African-American patients who need marrow transplants don't find matches after six months of searching, according to the National Marrow Donor Program, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping patients receive transplants.

On her website, which includes a photo of Shannon as Nala and a video of her singing "The Circle of Life," the 78-pound actress said, "Some people think that the test for compatibility is scary! ... All it really takes to get started is a cotton swab of 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.'"

Shannon was forced to quit the show in April. She beat out hundreds of other hopefuls last year to earn her spot playing Nala, the childhood pal and girlfriend of Simba, hero of "The Lion King." She split the role with another girl, performing four shows a week for six months.

In a hospital interview with The Associated Press after being diagnosed, the young actress talked about her love for 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."

Her long, curly brown hair was gone because of chemotherapy, but the sixth-grader said the most difficult part was being away from acting and her friends.

Keys, Rihanna and 50 Cent campaigned to help Tavarez find a bone marrow donor, and cast members held bone marrow donor registration drives outside the play's Minskoff Theater. Katharina Harf, co-founder of the bone marrow donor center DKMS, said the donor center registered 10,000 people as potential donors. Keys skyped with Tavarez while she was at the hospital, Harf said, and the singer, Rhihanna and 50 Cent urged their fans to sign up as potential donors.

Child performers from "The Lion King" and other shows also sold bracelets and key chains that read, "Shine for Shannon," to raise money to help pay for her medical bills.

"It's rare that you meet such a spirited girl at such a young age," Harf said. "She touched so many people to register. She was really, really a special girl."

"Shannon's bright smile, amazing talent, and courage will continue to inspire us in our efforts," the New York Blood Center said in a statement.

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Online:

DKMS donor registry:

Shannon Tavarez:

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AP Drama Writer Mark Kennedy contributed to this report.

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Close Caribbean Alternative: Americans Rediscover Sunny Madeira Island with new packages

In the 19th century Americans flocked to the Pearl of the Atlantic, Madeira Island. Now, Azores Express/SATA wants to reintroduce Americans to this enchanting island some 750 miles south of Lisbon with new flights from Boston and expanded air + hotel deal

Concord, NH (PRWEB) November 4, 2010

In the 19th century Americans flocked to the Pearl of the Atlantic, Madeira Island. Now, Azores Express/SATA wants to reintroduce Americans to this enchanting island some 750 miles south of Lisbon with new flights from Boston and expanded air and hotels packages.This fall and winter, Azores Express/SATA has new 6-night packages from Boston Logan Airport to Funchal (via the Azores) with more flights to choose from. Prices, including roundtrip air, hotel, and breakfast start at $859 per person, before taxes and fees. Flights depart and return on Tuesday and Fridays, and there are three new hotels to choose from.

On the service from Boston to Madeira passengers can upgrade from coach to SATA Plus Business-Class for just a few hundred dollars each way. All packages include breakfast. Kids under 6 stay free, and pay only a child’s airfare.

New Hotels

New this year is the sandy and warm island of Porto Santo, considered one of the best beaches in Europe. Porto Santois a15 minute flight from Madeira. The Torre Praia hotel is right on the beach, and six nights with air start at a mere $1,059 per person, plus tax.

Back on Madeira, the four-star Four Views Baia is set in Funchal, above the seaside promenade. Facilities include a restaurant, bar, adults and children’s heated outdoor swimming pools, sauna, Jacuzzi, steam bath, massage, laundry service, games room, private parking and a shuttle to and from the city center. And the intimate Orquídea Hotel is a quick walk from the city center and sites

The other hotels offered are all 4 and 5-stars, and include: The Alto Lido, Cliff Bay, Madeira Regency, Tivoli Madeira, Baia Azul, and the new CS Madeira. All hotels offer seaside views, outdoor saltwater pools and full resort faculties.

Madeira has a nearly perfect climate—warm and clear in winter with temperature in the 70s.Madeira’s fascinating landscape is characterized by volcanic cliffs that rise dramatically from the sea. The islands steep rise creates six unique climate zones, each with its own beautiful flora and fauna that contribute to the comparison of Madeira with Hawaii.

Visitors come for the natural beauty, and they stay to experience the ocean, golf, hiking, deep sea fishing, diving, and old world charm of the island and its mountains and seaside towns. Madeira remains an uncrowned and sophisticated pearl of European charm, where a visitors can experience the sea, mountain hiking, or city culture. George Washington was a great fan of Madeira wine. Both his inauguration and the signing of the Declaration of Independence were celebrated with Madeira wine. The legendary frigate Constitution was christened with Madeira wine. President Franklin Pierce spent several months exploring the island after leaving office in 1857.

Azores Express has connected New England with Portugal for more than 20 years. Today it offers direct flights on wide body A310 aircraft to São Miguel, the main island in the Azores archipelago. Connecting flights from São Miguel to Lisbon, Porto and/or the islands of Madeira are available. The company is part of the SATA Group.

For more information and reservations, contact Azores Express at 800-762-9995, .

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JAYME SIMOESAzores Express800-762-9995Email Information

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