RIP Shannon Tavarez

Shannon Tavarez, an 11-year-old girl who played young ‘Nala’ in The Lion King on Broadway has died after a battle with leukemia.

She made her Broadway debut in September 2009 but was forced to quit in April after falling ill.

After her diagnosis and no bone-marrow match was available, she made PSA videos urging people to sign up as bone marrow donors.

Celebrities including Alicia Keys and Rihanna tried to spread the word in an effort to find a donor. Cast members also held donor registration drives but a match still wasn’t found.