Mother of Leukemia Victim Lashes Out at Rihanna

RihannaLast February, Rihanna publicized the effort to locate a bone marrow doner for 5-year-old New York City resident Jasmina Anema, who was fighting a losing battle with acute leukemia. The singer, who has been a longtime supporter of DKMS America -- the world's largest non-profit marrow donor center -- was vigilant in her efforts to locate a doner but it proved to be a difficult search and Jasmina sadly passed away at six years-old on Jan 27, 2010.

Now, Jasmina's mother, Thea Anema says that she is disappointed in Rihanna for not contacting her after the child's death. A post appeared on Thea's Twitter account this week which read, "It has been a month since Jasmina's passing. Still not even a card or text message from Rihanna. Did she use my child for a publicity stunt?" The post was quickly deleted as it began to appear on a number of blogs and spread like wildfire on Twitter.

Anema then followed up with another Tweet on Monday afternoon (Mar. 1) addressing her previous words. "Apparently there are some negative blogs out there. For the record, Rihanna has been nothing but really nice!!!" she wrote. Anema later contacted People Magazine, saying that she had not penned the controversial tweet. "Friends have helped me with all kinds of stuff and many know the passwords to my personal e-mail, the Caringbridge site and also Twitter," Anema said. "Although I did not tweet this particular one, I do wish that Rihanna had responded to me on Jasmina's passing. It would have meant the world to me." Anema told the magazine that she did not mean any harm, but she was simply unable to stifle her grief. "Jasmina adored her," she told People. "Rihanna was so kind to come and visit her. I just felt hurt not hearing anything from her. Or of any other celebrities for that matter. The only ones who reached out to me personally during this time of grief were the Obamas."

Although personal contact between Rihanna and Anema cannot be verified, Ri-Ri did make public acknowlegedment of Jasmina's passing during the recent Super Bowl festivities in Miami. The 21-year-old singer told the Associated Press that she would remember Jasmina fondly. "She was a very free, fun spirited little girl, full of energy, always happy, always energetic," Ri-Ri said. "I always remember she wouldn't sit still. She was always running around, always had a smile on her face."

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ANITA

Sorry for your loss. However, the highest ranking political figure in the country reached out to you to acknowledge your loss. Please focus on the 6 years that God allowed you to enjoy with her. Some people don't have that long. Don't focus on people that didn't do, but all the ones that DID help you through this.

March 10 2010 at 10:36 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
eshaoduntan

Well, I think the mother is angry because she feels as if she used her for publicity. Everyone is saying how she is so busy and all of this then why did she acknowledge the little girl's passing at the Superbowl? If she could have done that then she could have called or sent flowers or a card. She could have done something. I mean come on... Common sense tells you. Doesn't matter how long that she knew the little girl she connected with her and her mother and I don't blame the mother for feeling angry. Most celebs are full of it and this doesn't surprise me. keeping the mother in prayer.

March 10 2010 at 9:06 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
tedoc

Thea Anema a self centered narcissistic ingrate mother who should be sending a thank you letter to Rihanna. Another leach on society who in her 15 seconds of fame bite the hand of a wonderful person trying to help a sick little girl. Shame on you Thea.

March 09 2010 at 6:30 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
tallcpgirl

Thea is a very ungrateful, selfish woman. Whineing over a singing star not stopping her life to contact her the way that Thea "thinks" she should??!! Unbelievable to me. Be grateful for the attention she gave your daughter and for the help she tried to provide your child and yourself. I don't believe for a second that "someone else" posted those comments. How convienent now that there is backlash from it. What gall Thea. You should be ashamed.

March 09 2010 at 2:43 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dustan

Sounds like she cared more about Rihanna contacting her and Tweeting about it, then grieving for her child.

March 08 2010 at 2:43 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Connie

I'm so sorry the child died, it hurts my heart when any child dies. My sister passed from the same thing in 1995 her doctor never phoned the family I don't even remember seeing him at the the hospital. I don't care for RIRi, but she did do something that was important for the child. My questions is why does the mother need her to call? People need to stop buying into other folks name.

March 05 2010 at 8:53 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
alphomgman

The mother is feeling like her child was used for publicity by Rihanna, even though she's not coming right out and saying it. Rihanna can do all this campaigning and get mentioned for charity work. But when the little girl passes she can't send a card or call the mother. It would've taken 10 minutes to do that. When Michael Jackson befriended the little boy, Ryan, that had AIDS. Not only did he reach out to the family, he even wrote a song dedicated to him.

March 05 2010 at 4:43 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
LUCKILI1

I don't think the mom's blog was to get publicity, I think she was letting everyone in the world know what a fake person she really is. Then she goes & sends a lame shout out during the Super Bowl. What is that? She just did that so she wouldn't get any bad publicity. Too little too late! People just don't have any compassion! I see alot of comments saying she's so busy. Quit making excuses for her, she has assistants. Flowers or a card being sent would've been the humane thing to do!!! She acknowledged the Obamas because she's letting everyone know that even though they're busy they took time to send their condolences & also to let people know they're not fake! No one should have to tell someone to do a compassionate gesture if it comes from within & that tells me that RiRidiculous has none! You crazy people that keep commenting she doesn't owe the mother anything go take a class in Compassion 101!

March 05 2010 at 12:59 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
LATANYA

please to the mom why are you lashing out at any one? This is not about Rihanna!! she did her part to help find a donor but it dont happen sorry you should be graceful she took time to do that and she did a shout out at the superbowl concert for your kid!!! this is not about you your child have passed on that whats important you had six years with her that means way more important than one phone call from a celebrity you only know for a short min!!!..... FOCUS ON THE BEAUTIFUL LIFE OF MEMORIES YOU SHARED WITH YOUR DAUGHTER!!! May she RIP

March 04 2010 at 4:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jojo

what is the deal with calling her "Ri-Ri"? is the writer trying to sound cool or something? and yes, i do think RIHANNA did it for publicity. i'm sure she cared to a point, but not enough to follow up on the mother's emotional situation.

March 04 2010 at 2:06 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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