Natalie Cole receives a directed kidney donation

Natalie Cole (singer and daughter of Nat King Cole) received a kidney transplant on May 19, 2009 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California.

The kidney came from an anonymous donor who recently died.  Her family said she was a big fan of Natalie.  The family directed that her kidney be given to Natalie.  Directed donations, other than from family members or very close friends, are rare.

Natalie needed a kidney because of kidney failure brought about by aggressive treatment for Hepatitis C she most likely contracted from her use of cocaine and heroin.

She is reported as recovering well and expects to be back on tour in three or four months.

See Alan Duke, Natalie Cole kidney came from deceased fan, CNN.com, May 21, 2009.