Christina Aguilera News

(4/17/02, 4 p.m. ET) -- Billy Preston is scheduled to receive a kidney transplant within the next few weeks. Preston has been receiving dialysis treatments three times a week since he was diagnosed with renal failure while out on the road with Eric Clapton last year. Preston's publicist told LAUNCH that at the time he was diagnosed "he was so toxic and anemic, he was 72 hours from leaving us."

Preston took a break from the tour, but soon returned. "No one believed Billy would make the second leg of the North American tour, but he was determined mentally, and did it," said Preston's publicist. While out on the road, Preston received his dialysis treatments on an outpatient basis.

Preston has a large family with whom he is very close--he even lives with his mother, who is in her mid-80s, as well as his sister. When they learned of his condition, "Every family member went to get tested to see who would be the best match." A female cousin proved to be the best possible donor.

Preston is frustrated because he has had to cancel several projects in anticipation of the surgery, but additional tests have continued to push back the operation date. The transplant is considered elective surgery for Preston--that is, his condition is not life-threatening, although without it he would face a lifetime of dialysis treatments.

Preston is keeping busy while awaiting his surgery date. He will perform as part of an all-star supergroup on the upcoming American Bandstand's 50th...A Celebration, which tapes this weekend and is scheduled to air May 3 on ABC. He has also been busy in the studio, recording sessions for Christina Aguilera's new album.

Once the transplant surgery is complete, recovery for Preston could take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, "depending on the individual," although Preston's publicist also told LAUNCH that Preston is simply "looking to move forward."

-- Sue Falco, New York

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