Natalie Cole has revealed that she has Hepatitis C, which she seemingly contracted through drug use over two decades ago. The singer was addicted to LSD, cocaine and heroin before cleaning up during a lengthy stay in rehab in 1984. The disease was only discovered recently during a routine examination.
Cole said: "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".
Dr Graham Woolf, Associate Clinical Professor Of Medicine at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in the US, said: "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".