Natalie Cole will be eternally grateful to the anonymous fan who donated a kidney to her - because the new organ has totally transformed her life.
The star has battled ill health since she was diagnosed with Hepatitis C in 2008. She suffered kidney problems while undergoing treatment for the liver disease and needed dialysis three times a week.
In April (09) she made an appearance on the Larry King Live show, talking about her desperate need for a kidney transplant and was overwhelmed by emails from viewers offering her their own organs.
One fan in particular was adamant that the organ went to Cole - with the family ordering doctors not to give it to anybody else.
And the singer can't believe the difference her operation has made - insisting she is full of energy since her stint in hospital.
She tells People.com, "It's remarkable what a new kidney does to your life. I have no complaints. I'm pretty amazed. I have been working on my stamina.
"I just went to the doctor today. He is thrilled. I'm just really, really thankful. I'm thankful to the doctors, I'm thankful to the family that donated the kidney."
But Cole doesn't give her new kidney all the credit for her new lease of life - she believes the support of friends and family helped her bounce back.
She adds, "My sisters who live in Florida, they came out, my son, oodles of friends. I got sick in New York, I wasn't at home. I didn't know how many good friends I had until this happened. It was beautiful. I had people come and see me everyday to see me in the hospital for 10 days."
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