Embedded video from CNN Video

Story Highlights

During “Larry King Live,” dozens e-mail offering to see whether they are a match
Singer to Larry King: “I’m on a very long list, which is why we are looking to donors”
Natalie Cole says she was diagnosed with hepatitis C in February 2008
She links the illness to her struggles to stop using cocaine and heroin

(CNN)—Singer Natalie Cole told CNN’s Larry King she is searching for a kidney after an illness caused both of her kidneys to fail.

Singer Natalie Cole continues to tour, despite being on dialysis three times a week.

Before she finished telling King Tuesday night about her battles with drugs, illnesses and her search for a kidney, dozens of e-mails flooded the CNN studio.

They were all offers from people saying they would get tested to see whether their kidney could be donated.

King handed a thick stack of paper to Cole.

“These are all e-mails from dozens — dozens of people offering to be tested to see if they can match, who want to give you a kidney,” King said.

Cole stared at the papers for a moment.

“There are some great human beings out there. That’s all I can say,” Cole said.

“I’m on a very long list, which is why we are looking to donors,” said Cole, the daughter of legendary crooner Nat King Cole.

Cole said her kidney troubles date back to February 2008 when she was diagnosed with hepatitis C. Cole said she attributes the hepatitis C from her well-publicized struggles to stop using cocaine and heroin. Cole said she has been sober for some time now after two stints in a rehabilitation clinic.

Cole said she underwent chemotherapy in an aggressive way to fight the virus. Within four months of getting chemotherapy, both of Cole’s kidneys failed.

“I couldn’t breathe. I — I went into — literally, my kidneys stopped functioning. They stopped, you know, processing the fluid that was starting to build up in my body.”

Since then, Cole has been on dialysis three days a week and has been searching for a kidney, she told King in one of the first public interviews about the issue.

Cole won

Continue reading

Court Appointed Special Advocates, otherwise known as CASA, fulfills its mission by ensuring that abused and neglected children are provided with every available opportunity to begin a journey into healthy, productive lives. By introducing caring, responsible adults trained as advocates into their lives, they help break the cycle of abuse and neglect. By engaging trained volunteers, they empower people in the community to place children’s needs and well-being as a priority.

We broke routine this evening and attended the World-Class, Black Tie, CASA Gala at the Hyatt Monterey which included a silent and live auction, dinner and Big Band entertainment.  The evening fundraising event raised significant dollars and broad community awareness for the great work of CASA.

Pictured above are Norbert Releker and his wife, Michelle.  Norbert is a good friend, a client and the General Manager of Chaminade of Santa Cruz.  Norbert serves on the board of directors of CASA.

Casting the chronic nausea and fatigue aside, Irene looked great and really enjoyed the extended evening ….!!

The CASA Gala was fantastic and a huge diversion from the normal routine.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

Continue reading

ccording to Wikipedia,  Kidney transplantation or renal transplantation is the organ transplant of a kidney in a patient with end-stage renal disease. Kidney transplantation is typically classified as deceased-donor (formerly known as cadaveric) or living-donor transplantation depending on the source of the recipient organ. Living-donor renal transplants are further characterized as genetically related (living-related) or non-related (living-unrelated) transplants, depending on whether a biological relationship exists between the donor and recipient.

Irene received a call today from the UCSF Kidney Transplant Team.  She was informed that her “markers” are at 100%.  Markers are indicators they utilize to ascertain the likelihood of a perfect blood type match.  It can’t get any better than that ….!!!

She still needs to have a colonoscopy and EKG to complete her surgery “readiness”.  She’s in a holding pattern for the “official” kidney transplant list until these two remaining matters have been completed.

We wait, we trust …. and we hope …. in Him.

A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?
Proverbs 20:24

Caminando con Fé

Dave

Continue reading