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VIDEO: Rihanna Requests Help Saving Young Broadway Star's Life

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Jul. 9 2010, Published 3:46 p.m. ET

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Rihanna is urging her fans to help save the life of eleven-year-old Shannon Tavarez of Disney's The Lion King on Broadway who was recently diagnosed with Acute Leukemia.

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Just two months after starting a Broadway career as Young Nala in Disney's The Lion King, Shannon was diagnosed with Acute Leukemia.

"When I found out, it hit me really hard, like someone was throwing a ball at me. It was shocking and I thought, why me?" Shannon said.

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The young star is now receiving daily chemotherapy treatments at Schneider Children's Hospital in Long Island hoping to receive a bone marrow transplant from a stranger, which is where Rihanna wants you to help.

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"Being a performer myself I know what it's like to be given the opportunity of a lifetime at a young age and I would have been destroyed if that was taken away from me," Rihanna explained. "Shannon deserves to live and share her beautiful voice with the world."

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"When I listened to Shannon's voice, I got really sad. Her voice is so beautiful. She should be performing on Broadway, but she is confined to her bed, fighting for her life," the singer said. "Shannon needs to find a bone marrow donor to survive. I urge all my fans to register with DKMS."

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"Becoming a donor starts with a cheek swab. But you have to be committed to donate because once you're a match for a patient; you could be their only chance," Rihanna said. "It's the most beautiful thing someone could do — to give the gift of life."

Watch Shannon's PSA below where she sings "The Circle of Life" from her hospital.

Visit www.getswabbed.org for more information about DKMS and to learn more about registering as a bone marrow donor.

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