HOLLYWOOD - Kanye West has thanked fans for their support in the wake of his mother's death on Saturday.
The "Gold Digger" rapper was in London when he heard of his beloved mom Dr. Donda West's death, and immediately caught a plane back to Los Angeles. The 58-year-old died as the result of possible complications from cosmetic surgery.
The West family has issued a statement urging fans to donate money to the Kanye West Foundation, a nonprofit organization that aims to improve literacy and reduce school dropout rates in the U.S., instead of sending flowers to offer their condolences.
The statement reads, "Kanye West, his family and friends would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of support and kind words that have come in from across the country since the death of his mother, Dr. Donda West.
"After working in higher education for 31 years, Dr. Donda West and Kanye West co-founded the Kanye West Foundation with the mission of helping to combat the severe dropout problem in high schools across the country.
"In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Dr. West's name to the Kanye West Foundation/Loop Dreams Teacher Training Institute."
According to the West family, details of Donda West's funeral are still pending.
http://www.hollywood.com/news/West_Thanks_Fans_for_Support_Following_Mothers_Death/4987207
