Received by Newsfinder from APMar 24, 2005 12:48 Eastern Time ST. LOUIS (AP) _ The sister of Grammy-winning rapper Nelly died Thursday at a St. Louis hospital after a long battle with leukemia, the artist’s publicist said. Jacqueline “Jackie” Donahue, 31, had been diagnosed with leukemia March 29, 2001. The cancer was in remission for nearly two years before she suffered a relapse, prompting Nelly to arrange a number of bone marrow drives to help his sister. A match was never found. In March 2003, Nelly and his then-ailing sister formed a campaign dubbed “Jes Us 4 Jackie” to find donors for Donahue and others, and to raise awareness about bone marrow donations. Donahue’s family said in a statement that they were “deeply saddened” by her death and offered their thanks for those who supported her and the Jes Us 4 Jackie bone marrow drives. “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.” Publicist Jane Higgins said Donahue had worked as a stylist for Nelly. A spokeswoman for Austin Layne Mortuary in St. Louis said funeral arrangements were pending.
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