By Karu F. Daniels, BlackVoices.com



As she readies the release of her latest music project, Grammy Award-winning diva Natalie Cole announced that she has been diagnosed with hepatitis C today.

"I've been so fortunate to have learned so much from my past experiences," the 'This Will Be' singer said in a statement.

"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," she continued. "This is how I intend to deal with this current challenge in my life."

Hepatitis C is a liver disease spread through contact with infected blood.

The disease was revealed during a routine examination and was likely caused by her excessive drug use years ago, which was subsequently chronicled in her 2000 autobiography, 'Angel on My Shoulder'.Dr. Graham Woolf, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCLA/Cedars Sinai Medical Center, told the 'Associated Press' that Cole has had a "terrific response to her medication and is now virus negative."

"This gives her an increased chance of cure," he said. "But, she has also suffered significant side effects from the anti-viral medicine, which is the only FDA authorized treatment for hepatitis C. Her side effects include fatigue, muscle aches and dehydration but she is recovering from these."

Cole, who just celebrated her 58th birthday in February, is the daughter of late entertainment legend Nat King Cole. An internationally renowned recording star in her own right – who can just about sing anything from jazz to rock- she has sold millions of records over her storied career, which spans four decades. She starred in the movies 'Lily In Winter' and 'Always Outnumbered,' and appeared on the TV series 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'Law & Order.'

She also hosted the syndicated television talent contest 'Big Break.'

'Still Unforgettable,' the follow-up to her 199 multiple Grammy Award winning, multi-platinum CD "Unforgettable ... With Love," is due out via Rhino Records in September.