Excellent news. Natalie Cole is "resting comfortably" at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after undergoing a life-saving kidney transplant operation on Monday, according to friends of the family and the singer's web site.
The Grammy Award-winning jazz, pop and R&B legend emotional search for a new kidney was publicized around the world and included an appearance on CNN's Larry King Live on March 31. Dozens of viewers offered to donate their kidneys and the search ended this week when an anonymous fan with a compatible organ died and their family asked that it be given to the singer, CNN reports.
In July 2008 the singer was diagnosed with Hepatitis C and believes she contracted the liver disease from drug use more than 25 years ago. Cole is now sober but unfortunately the condition lead to renal kidney failure. The singer says she was "on very a long" organ donation list due to incompatibility with relatives.
"Natalie is resting comfortably at the hospital and may leave as soon as next week," says producer, author and pastor Kevin E. Taylor, the longtime friend to Natalie Cole who write the discography of her autobiography Angel On My Shoulder. "Doctors advised her to postpone her summer tour as she recuperates for the next three to four months."
AFTER THE JUMP, watch Natalie on LKL explain how kidney failure and dialysis changed her life. And please: Send her good thoughts.
OMG I am such the Natalie Cole fan!
Congratulations Natalie we love you!
Take your time, rest up and don't push it.
Love that woman. Bless her.
Posted by: Faison | 21 May 2009 at 20:39
ain't life grand? take care natalie and know that we are here for you
Posted by: DE | 21 May 2009 at 20:40
absolutely love her and wish her the best. I could hear her sing "Im catching Hell' anytime
Posted by: DFS | 21 May 2009 at 21:41
Wish you all the best Ms. Natalie. Love you.
I wore out at least three pair of heels back in the day twirling to Pink Cadillac.
Posted by: gurlene | 21 May 2009 at 22:06
All my love to you, Natalie!
Posted by: soulbrotha | 21 May 2009 at 22:58
Natalie Cole has ALWAYS put a smile on my face both with her wonderful singing and gracious personality, and this news just makes me BEAM!
Congratulations Miss Cole!
Posted by: Corey | 22 May 2009 at 09:10
One classy lady. Miss Cole you are in my prayers.
Posted by: Otis | 22 May 2009 at 11:10
On a sad note, Natalie's younger sister Tomilin just died from lung cancer. Natalie was with her when she had received news of an available kidney. Natalie didn't want to deal with it at that time, but she was told that they only had a 2 hour window to perform the kidney transplant. My heart goes out to Natalie. This has to be a very rough time for her on so many levels.
Posted by: Ravenback | 22 May 2009 at 12:42
My apologies. I was mistaken. Natalie's sister Cookie died, not Timolin. Again, I'm sorry for mentioning the wrong sister.
Posted by: Ravenback | 22 May 2009 at 12:51
To borrow the phrase from FaceBook: "Andy Niable Likes This."
Posted by: Andy Niable | 22 May 2009 at 14:26
God bless her, she has a good heart.
Posted by: Meet Me On The Moon | 23 May 2009 at 09:22
Good to hear that Natalie is doing fine after the kidney transplant, but sad about the news of her sister.
Also, doesn't Natalie have a brother? I seem to recall mention of him years ago.
Posted by: Honut SInti | 23 May 2009 at 23:24
Her brother, Nat Kelly Cole, died from AIDS in 1995. He was her only brother.
Posted by: Ravenback | 24 May 2009 at 00:32
Was not her brother gay?
Posted by: islezeus | 25 May 2009 at 22:17