"Young Nala"
in Disney's The Lion King
About Us
Our history
Shannon’s S.H.A.R.E. Foundation was founded in memory of 11 year old Shannon Skye Tavarez. Shannon was starring as ‘young Nala’ in The Lion King on Broadway when she was suddenly diagnosed with AML Leukemia. Her doctors said that she needed a matching bone marrow donor to survive. Shannon's search was difficult due to a lack of people of color registered on the national bone marrow registry. Unfortunately, Shannon never found a match and passed away on All Saint's Day; November 1, 2010. We continue her legacy by registering donors and financially assisting patients diagnosed with blood cancers and other blood related illnesses.
Our mission
Shannon’s S.H.A.R.E. is dedicated to the education and recruitment of potential bone marrow donors, especially in communities of color where the need is greatest.
We are committed to providing support, hope and aid to patients and their families, with a focus on those in need of bone marrow transplants.
Our Vision - As we share Shannon's story of courage, perseverance and compassion our hope is that people will be encouraged to make a difference by becoming registered donors so that all patients needing bone marrow transplants will have a chance to survive.
The Shannon's S.H.A.R.E. Team
Odiney Brown - Co Founder
Exec Director / Board President
Nahdi Mukomana Brown
Deputy Executive Director /
Press, Media, & Social
Donna Trent - Board Vice President
Mashale Straker - Board Secretary
Jessie Norment - Board Treasurer
Dr. Shellyann Sharpe - Medical Liaison
Board Member
...and many hardworking Volunteers!!
Our Programs
Swab It! (The Donor Program)
The MAD (Make a Difference) College Tour
Patient's Assistance Program (PAP)
Our ultimate mission is to recruit and educate more bone marrow/stem cell donors in communities of color. Diversifying the national marrow registry will help give all patients a better chance at survival. All individuals need to register but people of color are especially needed. Help us save lives in our communities!
Live it! Love it! Swab it!
Patient's Assistance Program (PAP)
The MAD (Make a Difference) College Tour
Patient's Assistance Program (PAP)
We provide financial assistance to patients and families to help offset expenses for qualified US residents. Aid is provided to patients that are in need of a bone marrow transplant, in active treatment or ongoing medical follow-up for any blood-related diseases. These patients are referred to us by a medical professional.
The MAD (Make a Difference) College Tour
The MAD (Make a Difference) College Tour
The MAD (Make a Difference) College Tour
Studies show that younger donors result in better outcomes for patients. Due to a lack of bone marrow donors of color, Shannon’s S.H.A.R.E. also focuses on recruiting college aged individuals of color to help diversify the registry. Due to the younger age of the registrant, they will be in the registry for a longer span enabling more opp
Studies show that younger donors result in better outcomes for patients. Due to a lack of bone marrow donors of color, Shannon’s S.H.A.R.E. also focuses on recruiting college aged individuals of color to help diversify the registry. Due to the younger age of the registrant, they will be in the registry for a longer span enabling more opportunities for patients to match over a longer period of time. Get your school involved.
Shop for our cause
All purchases benefit our mission to save lives!
Various colors
Check out our full line of products here