Updated 08/17/2010 11:36 PM
Young "Lion King" Star Receives Umbilical Cord Blood Transplant
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A young Broadway actress fighting leukemia is doing well after undergoing what doctors hope will be a life-saving operation, according to her family.
Shannon Tavarez, 11, received a transplant of umbilical cord blood from an anonymous donor Tuesday.
The operation has been used for several years as an alternative to bone marrow for treating leukemia.
The Queens girl played young Nala in Broadway's "The Lion King."
Several bone marrow drives were held, but no one was found to be a match.
The Jamaica Performing Arts Center and New York Blood Center are holding more drives this 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.