BabyGirl
03-25-2005, 12:01 AM
Nelly's Tour Off as Sister Dies
Nelly has shut down his Sweat/Suit Tour following the death of his half-sister.
Jacqueline "Jackie" Donahue succumbed Thursday to complications from leukemia. She was 31 and is survived by her two young children.
Upon learning of the death, Nelly immediately canceled several shows in Texas and flew back to St. Louis to be with his family.
Donahue was diagnosed with the disease in 2001. Her cancer has been in remission for almost two years, but she recently suffered a relapse. In June 2003, Nelly and Donahue launched the "Jes Us 4 Jackie" campaign to solicit potential donors. A match for Donahue was never found, but the organization did enlist hundreds for the National Donor Registry.
Donahue continued working for her rapping brother as his hairstylist, until she became too ill.
A statement released on behalf of Nelly and his family said they were "deeply saddened" by Donahue's death, but they also thanked all those who responded to Nelly's call to action.
"We are very proud of her efforts to educate and raise awareness about the disease and the need for African-Americans to join the National Donor Registry," the family said.
"She will always be remembered for her loving spirit, energy and unshakable faith."
Funeral details have yet to be announced.
Donahue and Nelly, whose full name is Cornell Haynes Jr., had the same father.
The rapper had performed Wednesday in Austin and was due to play several more gigs in Texas, including dates in Beaumont (Thursday), Hidalgo (Friday), El Paso (Saturday) and Nacogdoches (Monday). All of those shows have been indefinitely postponed. A publicist for the "Hot in Herre" performer says an announcement will be forthcoming on the status of other upcoming dates.
The Grammy-winning artist's two most recent albums, Suit and Sweat, debuted one-two on the chart in September and have sold more than 4 million copies combined.
Nelly has shut down his Sweat/Suit Tour following the death of his half-sister.
Jacqueline "Jackie" Donahue succumbed Thursday to complications from leukemia. She was 31 and is survived by her two young children.
Upon learning of the death, Nelly immediately canceled several shows in Texas and flew back to St. Louis to be with his family.
Donahue was diagnosed with the disease in 2001. Her cancer has been in remission for almost two years, but she recently suffered a relapse. In June 2003, Nelly and Donahue launched the "Jes Us 4 Jackie" campaign to solicit potential donors. A match for Donahue was never found, but the organization did enlist hundreds for the National Donor Registry.
Donahue continued working for her rapping brother as his hairstylist, until she became too ill.
A statement released on behalf of Nelly and his family said they were "deeply saddened" by Donahue's death, but they also thanked all those who responded to Nelly's call to action.
"We are very proud of her efforts to educate and raise awareness about the disease and the need for African-Americans to join the National Donor Registry," the family said.
"She will always be remembered for her loving spirit, energy and unshakable faith."
Funeral details have yet to be announced.
Donahue and Nelly, whose full name is Cornell Haynes Jr., had the same father.
The rapper had performed Wednesday in Austin and was due to play several more gigs in Texas, including dates in Beaumont (Thursday), Hidalgo (Friday), El Paso (Saturday) and Nacogdoches (Monday). All of those shows have been indefinitely postponed. A publicist for the "Hot in Herre" performer says an announcement will be forthcoming on the status of other upcoming dates.
The Grammy-winning artist's two most recent albums, Suit and Sweat, debuted one-two on the chart in September and have sold more than 4 million copies combined.