Jennifer Schaeffer - Clear Channel Online & Music Radio

A sad, hard battle has come to an end for Nelly's family. According to KBTV-4 and a press release, the rapper's sister, 30-year-old Jackie Donahue, died Thursday morning from leukemia.

Donahue was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia in March of 2001. Three month later, she was in remission, until a relapse in January 2003.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Nelly and his family during this difficult time," Texas' Ford Park/SMG said in a press release. Nelly was scheduled to perform at the arena Thursday evening before the news of his sister’s passing.

Nelly had recently been an advocate for bone marrow transplants, which his sister would have needed to survive.

No other concert or any funeral details have been announced.

this is sooo sad....I read many articles about Nelly and his sister and them tryin to get more people out to donate bone marrow to others with the disease. my condolences tot he family :(

:(

heres a picture of the two of them back when they started the Jesus 4 Jackie organization in hopes to encourage marrow donors (especially African-American donors because they are harder to match)

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20050324/capt.nyet19103241856.people_nellys_sister_nyet191.jpg

Sorry to hear this. May she rest in peace. :(

I've been following this case for a few years now. I know Jillian Barberie (formerly of Good Day Live) has gotten really involved with this marrow situation locally after she met Nelly and his sister. It's so sad to see her struggle end this way, but at least she is in a better place.

I wish their family the best, and I praise Nelly for starting this program. Although it wasn't successful in finding a match for his sister, Jes Us 4 Jackie has helped many others.

That is so sad. My condolences to Nelly and his family. :(

that's sad. Hopefully he will do something to raise awareness about leukemia aimed toward young people.

I just read that she had two young kids :(