Natalie Cole's Hepatitis C Journey: Diagnosis, Transplant & Legacy
Grammy-winning singer Natalie Cole (1950–2015) publicly shared her hepatitis C experience, raising awareness about the disease.
Timeline
- 2008: Diagnosed with chronic HCV (genotype 1), likely acquired decades earlier from IV drug use.
- 2009: Underwent liver transplantation for HCV-related cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
- Post-transplant: HCV reinfected the graft (universal without prophylaxis at the time).
- 2015: Died at 65 from heart failure, a complication of her post-transplant course.
Legacy
Cole's openness destigmatized HCV and highlighted the need for early screening and treatment. Her story preceded the DAA revolution (2013+), which now cures >95% of HCV patients pre-transplant, preventing many such outcomes.
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