Saturday, May 23, 2009

Natalie Cole Recovering From Kidney Transplant

Natalie+Cole+recovers+from+kidney+transplant

Photo: Lisa O'Connor/ZUMAPress.com

By Gina Serpe eonline.com

Natalie Cole will be hard-pressed to live through a more unforgettable experience.

The Grammy-winning singer, who has been undergoing dialysis since last fall, successfully underwent kidney transplant surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center yesterday and is currently "resting comfortably," her publicist, Maureen O'Connor, tells E! News.

The kidney was procured from a deceased organ donor and made its way to the 59-year-old Cole with help from One Legacy, a transplant donor network in Southern California.

"Ms. Cole's physicians have advised her to postpone her summer tour dates as she recuperates for the next three to four months," her rep said.

The singer, who just last month proved in peak form belting out "Something's Gotta Give" on an American Idol results show, has been undergoing kidney dialysis three times a week, for roughly three hours each time, since last September.

She began receiving the treatment in New York last fall when she was hospitalized after suffering a setback in her chemotherapy, which she had been receiving for hepatitis C. Four months after beginning the aggressive treatment, both her kidneys failed.

The singer's recovery will force the postponement of the remaining dates on her world tour.

Last week, Cole canceled a string of dates scheduled to take place in South Korea, though she did not give a reason why.

Appearing on Larry King Live last month, Cole admitted that without a transplant, she would be on dialysis for the rest of her life. During her appearance, dozens of viewers wrote in offering to test as possible donors.

"There are some great human beings out there," she said at the time. "That's all I can say."

“You Have the Power to Save Lives – Sign Your Donor Card & Tell Your Loved Ones of Your Decision”

Register to be a donor in Ontario or Download Donor Cards from Trillium Gift of Life Network
For other Canadian provinces click here

In the United States, be sure to find out how to register in your state at ShareYourLife.org or Download Donor Cards from OrganDonor.Gov

In Great Britain, register at NHS Organ Donor Register

In Australia, register at Australian Organ Donor Register

Your generosity can save up to eight lives with heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas and small intestine transplants. One tissue donor can help up to 100 other people by donating skin, corneas, bone, tendon, ligaments and heart valves

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

...please where can I buy a unicorn?