50 Cent, Tony Yayo Register As Bone Marrow Donors To Help 11-Year-Old

The G-Unit members register as a bone marrow donor to help a young actress diagnosed with leukemia.

Rappers 50 Cent and Tony Yayo have registered as bone marrow donors in hopes of helping a young actress diagnosed with leukemia.

According to Yahoo Music News, the rappers made the decision to register with DKMS and become a part of the Be The Match Registry when 50 learned that 11-year-old Shannon Tavarez needed a bone marrow transplant.

Before being diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia, Tavarez had a co-starring role as a young Nala in the Broadway production of The Lion King.



The story hit home to 50, who has a child of his own. "My son is just a couple years older than Shannon and I can't imagine if his life was needlessly cut short when there is someone out there that could save him," said the Queens rapper in a statement.

"Shannon's chances of finding a matching donor are slim because she's African American and Dominican and minorities are underrepresented in the national registry," he added. "Everyone, regardless of their race or ethnicity deserves a fair chance at life. Registering to become a bone marrow donor starts with a cheek swab but it's more than that. It's a commitment to save a life."

To sign up as a bone marrow donor, visit GetSwabbed.org. Registrants must be between the ages of 18 and 55, and be in good health.

Below is footage of 50 Cent getting swabbed to be a part of the registry, followed by a video about Shannon Tavarez.