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MIAMI, May 10, 2006 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Latin Grammy winner Soraya, one of the first artists to write and record in both English and Spanish, died in Florida Wednesday at age 37.
The singer, whose mother, aunt and grandmother died of breast cancer, was diagnosed with the disease in June 2000, Billboard.com reported. She underwent treatment and won a Grammy three years later for her self-titled album, but relapsed at the beginning of this year.
Because of her family history as well as her own experience with the disease, Soraya was active with the Susan G. Komen Foundation and acted as its spokeswoman, Billboard.com said.
Although she was one of the most popular female Latin and pop and rock performers, Soraya told Billboard.com her time was divided between music, life and fighting breast cancer.
She was awarded Billboard's Spirit of Hope Award in 2004 for her efforts to raise breast cancer awareness among Hispanics.
Last week, she posted a farewell message on her Web site saying: "I know there are many questions without answers, and that hope doesn't leave with me, and above all, that my mission does not end with my physical story."
URL: www.upi.com Copyright 2006 by United Press International
