Backstreet Boy Howie Dorough issued a statement Wednesday thanking fans for their support after the recent death of his sister, and asked that fans help him battle the disease that took her life.

As we first reported last week, the band cancelled a show in Minnesota after learning that Dorough's sister had died of complications from Lupus (see [article id="1425245"]"Backstreet Boys Cancel Appearance Because Of Death In The Family"[/article]).

"Regarding the recent passing of my sister, Caroline Cochran, the outpouring of emotion and sympathy I have received from fans and the media has been overwhelming," Howie wrote in his first public statement about the loss. "Caroline was only 37 when she lost her battle with the disease called Lupus. This disease affects the immune system, often striking down young people like my sister in her prime."

Dorough went on to request that, instead of sending cards or gifts, fans send donations to a fund established in the name

of his late sister and designed to aid the study of Lupus. "This donation would help the study of this disease so that hopefully a cure can be found and no other family will have to suffer a loss such as ours," Dorough writes.

Donations can be sent to :

Caroline Cochran - Lupus Fund at Florida Hospital c/o Florida Hospital Foundation 616 East Rollins Street, Suite 103 Orlando, FL 32803