Nikita Pearl Waligwa , known for the Disney movie "Queen of Katwe," died at age 15 from a brain tumor.
The BBC reported the unfortunate news and quoted various media outlets in Uganda, the interpreter's home country. The young woman died on February 15 at the TMR international hospital in the municipality of Naalya, Uganda and it was detailed that she will be buried today.
"It was not just a star, but the inspiration for any young man," said the local New Vision. While his family declared to be going through "exhausting pain."
Nikita's doctors discovered a brain tumor for the first time in 2016, when she was 12 years old, for which she had to have surgery and received radiation therapy.
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Upon learning the director of the film, Mira Nair , 62, began raising funds so that the little actress could carry out her medical treatment in India. Thanks to the help of several celebrities, the young woman was able to raise the money and be treated.
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However, despite all the efforts, since in 2017 it seemed to have healed, last year another tumor was detected in the same area from which it could not recover.
It is known that months after the initial diagnosis of the young actress, her mother Rachel Asiimwe Waligwa was also diagnosed with cancer and was only given two months to live.
Fortunately she survived and described her recovery as a "miracle." However, his family said that the joy was short-lived and turned into an environment of anguish when Nikita Pearl developed another tumor again.
Nikita Pearl gave life to the character of Gloria, who was a friend of the protagonist, played by Madina Nalwanga, who explains the rules of chess.
The film is about the true story of Phiona Mutesi, a chess player from a poor neighborhood in Uganda who started playing at age nine and despite not having gone to school, came to compete in international tournaments.
"Queen of Katwe" featured the performance of Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o . as the mother of the protagonist and the British David Oyelowo as a chess teacher.
In March 2019, a social media campaign began again to raise funds and be able to treat the teenager in India with the hashtag #savenikita.
Lupita Nyong'o lamented her death, "With great sadness I write about the death of Nikita Waligwa, the sweet, warm and talented girl with whom I worked in the movie 'Queen of Katwe'. She played the role of Gloria with such passion."
"In real life he faced the enormous challenge of fighting cancer in the brain. My deepest condolences and my condolences go to his family and his community, who now face this prompt farewell. Rest in peace," added the interpreter of peace. "12 Years a Slave".
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David Oyelowo, who also starred in the film, wrote on Instagram that Nikita was "a ball of light" in the film and in life.
"To witness his battle against a brain tumor made you feel so humble. His light will remain alive," the actor wrote.
Similarly, Gayaza High School, where Nikita Pearl was studying, wanted to pay an emotional tribute on Twitter, "May Nikita Pearl Waligwa do well. You were a love to many and we lost you to a brain tumor at such a tender age. Rest in perfect peace, dear. "
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