Natalie Cole Diagnosed With Hepatitis C
Published Wednesday, 16th July, 2008 at 2:01 PM
Natalie Cole - the daughter of Nat King Cole - has been diagnosed with Hepatitis C, according to reports.
A spokesman for the Grammy Award-winning singer, aged 58, says the disease was discovered during a routine examination.
It's thought her past drug use may have lead to Cole contracting the disease - as she was formerly addicted to LSD, cocaine and heroin. However, Natalie has been clean since 1984, after attending rehab.
The singer is quoted as saying: "I've been so fortunate to have learned so much from my past experiences. I am embraced by the love and support of my family and friends."
"I am committed to my belief in myself and in my abiding faith to meet this challenge with a heartfelt optimism and determination. This is how I intend to deal with this current challenge in my life."
Doctors say of the treatment, "Natalie has had a terrific response to her medication and is now virus negative. This gives her an increased chance of cure. But, she has also suffered significant side effects from the anti-viral medicine."
