Thanks to a tip from one of our readers (thanks, Kathy) we were alerted to the sad passing of the beautiful and talented Latina singer Soraya.

Soraya, of Colombian descent, was not only an amazing singer songwriter, but she also became a powerful voice for the message of prevention of breast cancer among Latinas, lending her support to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. AP reported on her death in Spanish today:

The singer-songwriter, born on may 10 1969 in New York to Colombian parents, and who had been diagnosed with cancer six years ago, was about to celebrate her first decade of her music career.

Soraya brought the 12 stringed guitar known as “tiple” to the United Stated and sang songs both in Spanish and English.

Soraya even spoke about the importance of prevention and embracing life as she was in the clutches of her illness, posting a letter to her fans on her web site which sends a powerful message, especially as we contemplate her death:

I am confident that my existence will leave a mark on your lives, and will benefit the future of many women, and that the light of my own life will illuminate that of many other families’, reads the letter on her web site.

`I am not losing this battle today because I know that my struggle has not been in vain, but that it will help win a larger battle, that of early detection and prevention of this terrible illness.’

`Now it’s your turn to continue with our mission’

I hope with all of my heart that I can transmit to you my love of life and the you be a channel by which many people may receive this message which could save their lives.’

VL originally wrote about Soraya’s struggle with cancer back in September.

Related:

Soraya on Wikipedia

Listen to Soraya’s interview with NPR in 2002

Soraya’s web site (currently down)

Via / Frontera.info