Bone marrow donor needed for 11 yr old Shannon Tavarez (Lion King, Young Nala)

[Popular]

Posted: 6/17/10 at 8:32pm

Sometimes we need a story to "hit home", so to speak, before we take action. There are obviously so many others besides Shannon that need help as well. It's another cause the Broadway community can get behind to make a difference! Sign up if you can to be a donor!
Click for her story

[TIGGOSAURUS]

Posted: 6/18/10 at 4:46am

My heart goes out to this brave young girl and her family, and all those in a similar position.

I hope this story garners a lot of publicity and inspires a surge in people registering as bone marrow donors, particularly among those ethnic groups where there is a shortfall. I have been on the register for years (via The Anthony Nolan Trust here in the UK), but have never been 'matched'. Hopefully one day I'll be able to make a difference...

Wishing 'Young Nala' all the courage and strength of a lion in her fight.

Updated On: 6/18/10 at 04:46 AM

[sabrelady]

Posted: 6/18/10 at 5:00am

Went through this w my nephew (Non Hodgkins lymphoma). It is so much better now w stem cell transplants rather than just bone marrow aspirate. But the cost of the testing is still expensive so getting on the list is problematic. If there are any groups doing testing, locally, try to sign up. And w the stem cell its not as painful for the donor. Ethnic minorities are particullary needed as some cultures ( ie Asian) have very restrictive about the idea of "blood". Education is helping but stil a big bias to over come. G*d Bless and Good Luck Shannon.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/18/10 at 6:07am

Having a friend/colleague suffer through lukemia caused me to be tested. I've been a registered bone marrow donor for just about a year.

To those of you interested in registering, the "test" is nothing more than a few mouth swabs -- painless. It takes longer to fill out the paperwork than it does to do the "medical" part of the test.

[angelplays]

Posted: 6/18/10 at 8:08am

I've been registered for about 10 years now but haven't been contacted. There was a drive around Raleigh then that was started because of some child who needed a transplant. A local agency funded the testing so we didn't have to pay anything. I don't know if it's changed and they don't charge you since apparently it's changed so that they don't have to do a blood draw anymore, but the fact that the person being tested had to pay to go on the registry in many cases does (did?) make it prohibitive to a lot of people.

[kec]

Posted: 6/18/10 at 8:41am

I'm on the register as well, because my brother is suffering from multiple myeloma brought on by his work at Ground Zero after 9/11 (he's a now-retired firefighter). My sister posted this story on the Be The Hero For a Hero Facebook page.

It does cost, but funding has usually been provided at the Registry drives I've been to (and the one I did at my church last year). I know that Be The Match Foundation has no mor funds for this fiscal year but perhaps BC/EFA might be able to help?

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 6/18/10 at 10:31am

If only I were 2 years older to be a legal donor...

[Popular]

Posted: 6/18/10 at 10:45am

I used this site to find where there was a donor drive around my area. It was free and painless.
Join in Person

[Anakela]

Posted: 6/18/10 at 11:29am

You can also register via email/mail too- I email requested a registration kit via dkmsamericas.org, they mailed me the kit, I mailed back the cheek swabs, they emailed me to let me know I was typed and added to the registry. They covered all the materials and postage, it was truly that easy.

[kec]

Posted: 7/19/10 at 6:28am

GREAT to see that over 300 people were added to the registry yesterday.
Bone Marrow Drive for Broadway Child Actor

[wickedpoppinsfan]

Posted: 7/19/10 at 2:48pm

Exactly, I now wish I was 2 years older I wold definitely do that. BUt I encouraged my parents and sister to do it, and I pray for Shannon everyday to get better and better.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 7/19/10 at 2:50pm

I was one of the ones swabbed yesterday!!

[bethnor]

Posted: 7/19/10 at 3:02pm

not to be a jerk, as every little bit helps, but minority donors are especially needed.

that's probably one of the largest barriers to finding a suitable donor at this time.

[kec]

Posted: 7/19/10 at 4:03pm

Very true bethnor. Chances of a perfect match are much greater from someone within the same ethnic group.

Wickepoppinsfan, just sign up in two years, when you are of age. You may not be able to help Shannon, but you could be a match for someone else.
Updated On: 7/19/10 at 04:03 PM

[sferezy]

Posted: 7/19/10 at 4:32pm

I'm part of Broadway in South Africa and on Friday, July 23rd from 10a-3p we are having a drive at the Minskoff Theatre. Just come on by!!!

[morosco]

Posted: 7/19/10 at 4:45pm

Bone marrow donors come out to help 'Lion King' girl Shannon Tavarez, who suffers from leukemia

[morosco]

Posted: 7/19/10 at 4:53pm

sferezy, I wonder if a flyer explaining the drive could be inserted in the Playbills at all the other shows on Broadway the night before the drive? Lots of ticketholders are probably staying in the immediate area and I would think a good number of them would take a moment out of their morning to stop by.

[kec]

Posted: 7/19/10 at 5:52pm

Great idea Morosco.

Speaking of needing more minority donors, here's a challenge from Shaquille ONeal:
Shaq Challenges African Americans: Join Be The Match Registry

[sgv123]

Posted: 7/19/10 at 11:30pm

delete Updated On: 7/19/10 at 11:30 PM

[kec]

Posted: 7/22/10 at 9:24pm

Moving this up as there will be a drive tomorrow at the Minskoff.

[uncageg]

Posted: 7/23/10 at 9:32am

Good Morning America is doing a segment on it this morning and giving information on how to help. It appears that it will run in the second half hour (7:30-8:00am)

[uncageg]

Posted: 7/23/10 at 9:49am

They mentioned the drive today and they said that so far they found a 4 out of 6 match for her but they are hoping for a 6 out of 6 as, of course, that is what they really need. Sounds like it is a bit tougher for her because of her mixed race.

God bless her. I hope they find it.

[uncageg]

Posted: 7/23/10 at 9:53am

Here is the GMA segment:

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/broadway-rallies-lion-kings-young-nala-bone-marrow/story?id=11232373

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 7/23/10 at 11:13am

I wish the best for Shannon. It's great to see how much support she has from the community. If I was going through what she is, I would be miserable, so God bless her for not letting her illness get in the way of her strength and happiness. It isn't fair what she has to go through, so I really hope she finds a match.

[BScottCasting]

Posted: 7/23/10 at 11:28am

WPIX 11 did a drive last Friday as well. Corbin Bleu was there and got swabbed on air. The cool thing was, he actually came outside to the plaza and was swabbed and registered after the segment was over, while I was being swabbed. I hope they find a match for Shannon.