Hey Natalie, could you get me on Larry King?

[BigSteve]

I am more than a little pissed about Natalie Cole and other celebrities getting a kidney transplant
after only a short time on dialysis. She went on Larry King's show to tell her sad story. I didn't abuse
drugs. I didn't get hepatitis. We are both in Southern California, but myself and thousands of others
have to wait 5-7 years to get a transplant.  Maybe if I change my residence to Dubai and give UCLA
a huge donation I can get a kidney. Sorry to sound so cynical, but I guess as I tell my grandchildren,
"life is not fair".

[dwcrawford]

another example of celebrity justice.  you can't fight it.  but it will bite them in the butt someday.  just ask OJ and Phl.

[paris]

Her sister died the night Natalie got her transplant.     When I was first listed, my co-ordinator told me she had a patient that got the call after being on the list 6 weeks!  And a friend of mine got his after 2 years on the list.  Unfortunately, we know too many who have spent so many years waiting.  It is all frustrating. 

[twirl]

me too, Big Steve

Crawford O.J. and who?

[dwcrawford]

Phil Specter.....who is not finally in jail.

[okarol]

Phil Specter.....who is not finally in jail.

June 2 --
Phil Spector has been sentenced to 19 years to life behind bars for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson.  The 69 year old music producer, jailed for murder, has complained that prison officials confiscated his wig, in a string of angry messages posted on Twitter. Following his incarceration, Spector wrote: "Moved to a private cell in a ­special wing of the prison. I'm allowed to keep my iPod and my laptop but ­getting no special treatment. "As if it wasn't bad enough I got locked up for 19 years, the -------- even confiscated my wig."
Yeah -- LOL -- no special treatment there... 

[dwcrawford]

oops.  I meant NOW, not NOT

[paris]

iPod and laptop?    That is just stupid!   And he is angry they took his wig?  I am at a lose for words.

[dwcrawford]

Actually he needed a new wig.  That one was ugly.  Actually, now that I think of it, he was kind of ugly too.  I guess the only way he could get women was to drug them and kill them.

[Wenchie58]

Nahhhh Dan....he was RICH, some women find that attractive.

[paris]

He is very homely.  Wig, no wig --- just not a good looking guy.   Me, I find a man with two healthy kidneys very attractive     Know any??

[kitkatz]

Hey Natalie, could you just get me listed? I have never done drugs? I do not drink alcohol. I am 46 years old and pretty healthy. I agree, how did this famous celebrity get a kidney and some of us are still waiting out here.  What gives? Was her transplant a donor kidney or a cadaver kidney?

[YLGuy]

What is One Legacy?  Please read the article below.

Natalie Cole is recovering from a kidney transplant.

The 59-year-old singer — and daughter of music legend Nat King Cole — underwent kidney transplant surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, her rep tells Star. "She is resting comfortably."

The Grammy winner recently went public about her kidney problems, saying they started in February 2008 when she was diagnosed with hepatitis C -- a virus she attributes to her past drug problems. Natalie started receiving chemotherapy to fight the hepatitis C and as a result both of her kidneys failed. Since September she's been on dialysis three days a week while searching for a kidney — and touring!

"I have been on dialysis in Istanbul, Milan, Indonesia, Manila, London," Natalie told CNN. "It's — it's amazing."

Her transplanted kidney came from a deceased organ donor through the regional organ procurement agency One Legacy.

Natalie's rep adds that she'll have to "postpone her summer tour dates as she recuperates for the next three to four months."

[YLGuy]

I just read on Legacy's website:
Factors such as race, gender, age, income or celebrity status are never considered when determining who receives an organ.

[kitkatz]

Money! Money! Money Talks, BS walks!

[Hanify]

Oh my goodness.  I had assumed she got a donated live kidney - not through the normal lists.  That can't be right can it.  However, I'm still happy for her that she got one - I wouldn't wish dialysis on anyone.  I don't care how careless they've been in the past.

[Chris]

Oh my goodness.  I had assumed she got a donated live kidney - not through the normal lists.  That can't be right can it.  However, I'm still happy for her that she got one - I wouldn't wish dialysis on anyone.  I don't care how careless they've been in the past.

Me too, I thought she got a kidney from her son. Then again, I read a lot of okarols news post and well my brain/memory is not what it use to be. Would be nice to see how many stars who have had transplants on how long they have had to wait for a transplant.

[okarol]

Yeah, there is more info about Natalie Cole in the news section.

In a nutshell, the story is that her donor was deceased - but the family wanted to direct the kidney to Natalie - they are fans of hers - luckily it was a match - so the procurement agency arranged it.

It's ironic - because a ton of living donors offered their kidneys to Miss Cole, which would have taken her off the list. But this way she actually took a deceased donor kidney before others that had waited longer. It's a rare occurance- the "directed deceased organ donor" but it does happen.

We once got a call from members of our church - a woman was in a coma from a stroke - and before they shut off life support they wanted to see if perhaps Jenna could receive the kidney - but turned out not to be the right blood type. It was very thoughtful of the family though.

[kimcanada]

What I find most unbelievable about this story is all the people that offered to donate to her, then when she didn't need it anymore , what do the same people do... nothing BIG FAT FREAKIN NOTHING

[paris]

Thanks Okarol.  That makes sense.  It explains why the wait was so short.  I am glad the family donated their loved ones organs, no matter who got them.    There are times I wonder if people will say "why did she get a kidney? She isn't on dialysis. Others need it more than she does".  It is just the luck of the draw that my numbers have stayed the same for so long.  If they had continued on the original path, I would have been on dialysis for three years.   Insecure?  A little!     And then their is the constant battle of thoughts re: living or cadaver.  I'm rambling -- sorry

[okarol]

Apparently there was quite a public outcry related to Natalie's transplant - here is a response from OPTN:

http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=14248.0

[marti824]

I thought I was the only one pissed about that whole situation.  Where are these wonderful volunteers now?  Maybe if they'd come forward now, or still, there'd be a few less people on the waiting list.  Does anyone know if there is an organization these people could join?

[dwcrawford]

I understand why you guys are upset but I'm wondering how many of us would use any kind of pull or external influence or celebrity that we had available.  I don't know.  Don't yell at me.  I'm  just thinking out loud.  I mean if my father could sing like her father did.....

[paris]

I think if we were all honest, we would do anything in our power.  My sister in law was very wealthy and she could travel all over the country when she needed experimental treatments. She could afford anything and didn't have to depend on insurance.  If I could afford to go anywhere, I would have had the infusions I am getting now, three years ago.  I don't begrudge Natalie getting a kidney. It was a gift that someone wanted to give specifically to her.   Now, if someone would like to do the same for me  --   

[Hanify]

That's right - I mean you'd hardly expect her to turn down the offer would you?  This may well be an excellent situation in that it's a very high profile person making kidney donations get into the limelight.  Although I hope people don't assume there's no problem getting one because she got one so quickly!