Natalie Cole Resting Comfortably After Kidney Transplant

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Hospitalizations,Health Scares,Larry King,Natalie Cole,TV One,Music

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Natalie Cole performs on stage at the ‘Light of the Angels’ Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at LA Live on December 4, 2008 in Los Angeles
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Natalie Cole in New York (Sept. 10, 2008)
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Natalie Cole looks gorgeous on the red carpet

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FIRST PUBLISHED: May 20, 2009 4:23 PM EDT
LAST UPDATED: May 20, 2009 4:49 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES, Calif. --

Natalie Cole underwent a kidney transplant on Monday, Access Hollywood has learned.

A rep for the singer told Access that the 59-year-old is resting comfortably following her surgery at Cedars- Sinai Medical Center in LA.

Cole received her new kidney from a deceased organ donor through the regional organ procurement agency, One Legacy. She has been receiving kidney dialysis three times a week since September, often at hospital locations around the world as she continued her world tour.

The Grammy-winning singer’s doctors have advised her to postpone her summer tour dates while she recuperates for the next three to four months.

As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, in April, the singer told Larry King that she was diagnosed with kidney failure and without a donor kidney would be on dialysis for the rest of her life.

Last spring, Cole was diagnosed with Hepatitis C, but after several months of treatment she was declared free of the disease.

Cole admitted in her 2000 autobiography, “Angel On My Shoulder,” she likely contracted the disease from drug abuse more than 30 years ago.

In an interview with Access Hollywood prior to her 2208 hospitalization, Cole said it was the love of her friends and family that helped her in her battle against Hepatitis C.

“You know, I think when you are challenged with something like this, the most important thing — after, of course, getting the proper treatment — is having the proper support group. It’s really, really important. I could not do what I do right now if it wasn’t for the support of my family and friends. For me, it wouldn’t be possible, because it’s tough,” she said.

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