NEW DETAILS: Natalie Cole’s Kidney Donated by Fan

Natalie Cole, who underwent kidney transplant surgery earlier this week in Los Angeles, has a fan to thank for her new lease on life. OneLegacy, the agency that provided Cole’s new organ, says that an anonymous fan of the singer requested that she receive their kidney after his or her death.

"Having heard of Ms. Cole's need for a kidney, the family asked that one of their loved one's kidneys be transplanted to Ms. Cole if they were a match," Tom Mone, OneLegacy’s CEO, told CNN.com on Thursday. This kind of request, called a “directed donation” is rare. The donor will remain anonymous unless the family decides to publicly release the name.

Cole was diagnosed with hepatitis C in 2008. She has attributed the disease to her former drug abuse. After many months of chemotherapy and dialysis, both of her kidneys failed, leading her to add her name to what she said was “a very long list” of transplant seekers.

Cole’s representative said her client was recuperating on Thursday. She is expected to postpone her summer tour and spend the next three to four months recovering from the surgery.

(Photo: Splash News)