Natalie Cole was recently diagnosed with hepatitis C during a routine medical exam.
Her doctor, Dr. Graham Woolf, said she has “an increased chance of cure” and was responding well to medication.
The Grammy winning signer released a statement saying:
“I have 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.”
Ms. Cole, the daughter of music legend Nat King Cole, believes she got the liver disease sometime during the ‘70s when she was addicted to heroin and crack cocaine. She’s been drug-free for over 20 years.
Hepatitis C is spread through contaminated blood.