Actress Jada Pinkett Smith is in mourning for her cousin, who lost her battle with cancer on Thursday (11Oct12).

The Nutty Professor star told fans about the sad news in a Twitter.com post, during which she urged followers to make time for and appreciate their loved ones.

She wrote, "My cousin Shannon Hawkins has succumbed to brain cancer this morning. She was 43. Live life today and love hard. Nothing is promised."