Updated 08/13/2010 11:10 AM
Young Broadway Actress To Receive Life-Saving Operation
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A young Broadway actress fighting leukemia is set to undergo a life-saving operation next week.
Shannon Tavarez, 11, from Queens played young Nala in Broadway's "The Lion King."
She will be getting a cord blood transplant next week.
Tavarez is said to be in good spirits and is looking forward to the operation, which has been used for several years as an alternative to bone marrow for treating leukemia.
Several bone marrow drives were held, including one at the Minskoff Theatre where "The Lion King" is performed, and at a nearby church.
An exact match has not yet been found.
The Jamaica Performing Arts Center and New York Blood Center will hold drives next week in honor of Tavarez.
Visitors can register for the Be The Match® Registry to become a potential marrow donor through a process that takes just a few minutes of paperwork and a cheek swab.
For more information about becoming a marrow donor, please call 1-800-MARROW-2 or visit BeTheMatch.org.