By Della Hasselle
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN – A bone marrow drive for 11-year-old “Lion King” star with leukemia attracted 385 people on Sunday.
The drive, which took place at St. Malachy’s Roman Catholic Church in the Theater District, was held so that Queens resident Shannon Tavarez can find a genetic match for a transplant, the New York Post reported.
"It's such a wonderful feeling to know family, friends and strangers would come out," Shannon's mom, Odiney Brown, 38, told the Daily News while wearing a T-shirt with her child's picture on the front and the slogan "Swab for Shannon" on the back.
The child Broadway star was diagnosed with the cancer in April after playing the role of Young Nala for seven months.
“I want people to know that attending the drive is going to save my life,” Tavarez told the Daily News last Tuesday.
Tavarez’s mom is African-American and her dad is Hispanic, and both groups are underrepresented donors, the Daily News said.
“You’re looking for your genetic twin,” Katharina Harf, executive vice president of donor center DKMS America told the Daily News.
“We’re trying to get as much support from minority communities as possible,” Dashuan Young, 27, said. Young plays Simba in the Broadway show.
While in the hospital, Tavarez has remained upbeat.
“I sing for the nurses—‘Superwoman' by Alicia Keyes and ‘Part of Your World’ from 'The Little Mermaid.' Sometimes I sing ‘Tomorrow’ from ‘Annie,’” Shannon told the News.
She also managed to finish fifth grade at Public School 176 in Cambria Heights, Queens, while undergoing chemotherapy.
