Odetta Hospitalized In New York With Kidney Failure
Folk legend Odetta is battling a life-threatening kidney condition. Her manager, Doug Yeager, explains in a statement that the singer-songwriter went to the hospital last Saturday for a check up and an IV treatment, and a day later she suffered kidney failure. He notes that the first 24 hours were deemed most significant to her survival, and, quote, "Miraculously, she made it through that emergency, but is still listed in critical condition." Odetta's currently undergoing dialysis, which Yeager says "seems to be slowly working," The 77-year-old performer, known as "The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement," was an active supporter of President-elect Barack Obama during the campaign, and is planning on singing at his inauguration in January. Yeager is crediting Odetta's determination to perform for the first African-American president as, quote, "the reason she is still alive." He adds that all her fans, quote, "are well aware of Odetta's indomitable spirit. Accordingly, I wouldn't bet against her singing for Barack in January!"
Odetta is currently in the ICU at New York's Lennox Hill Hospital, where she's expected to remain for at least another week. However, she is able to receive cards and well-wishes from those wanting to send her moral support. This is Odetta's second major health crisis in two years. In early 2007 she suffered a medical scare concerning her heart.
Cards to Odetta can be sent to:
Ms. Odetta Gordon
Room #719, 7th Floor ICU Unit
Lennox Hill Hospital
100 East 77th Street
New York, New York 10021 |