September 14, 2017
Selena Gomez took to Instagram this morning to reveal that she received the ultimate gift of life from her best friend, Francia Raisa. The actress and award-winning artist announced she had a kidney transplant over the summer due to complications from Lupus, an autoimmune disease that causes harm to organs and tissues.
She said, “It was what I needed to do for my overall health.”
NKF CEO, Kevin Longino, said, “Kidney disease has been part of my own life for as long as I can remember, affecting three generations of my family. I am alive today because of the kidney transplant I received 13 years ago from an anonymous deceased donor—and there isn’t a day that goes by when I do not give thanks to the family who, despite their tragic loss, allowed me to live."
The leading causes of chronic kidney disease are diabetes or high blood pressure, but other conditions, like Lupus, can also impact the kidneys. Kidneys play a critical role in the body—acting as the body's filtering system, removing wastes, and controlling blood pressure.
Once they fail, people need dialysis or a kidney transplant to stay alive.
Are you at risk of kidney disease? Take our one-minute quiz to find out.
Subscribe today!
Join the NKF Blog Newsletter
Get inspirational stories and kidney disease resources delivered to your inbox every month. You'll gain practical insights and expert advice to help you better understand and manage your kidney health no matter where you are on your kidney journey.
"I would like to extend my heartfelt support to Selena as she continues her journey towards kidney health. Finding a match is not easy; and I am sure she feels immensely blessed and grateful to her dear friend, Francia Raisa for the gift of life," said Longino. "To all of us, she is nothing short of a hero.”
There are currently more than 100,000 people on the kidney transplant waitlist –and the average wait time is long, three to five years or longer. But many kidney patients never get a transplant because they are afraid to ask their family members and friends for help. National Kidney Foundation can help people start the conversation. Our goal is to get as many people off the waiting list as possible and help all of them find a second chance at life.
Ms. Gomez’s brave public acknowledgment of the battle she’s been privately facing, and the gift of life she received, will give strength to others to do the same.
Interested in learning more about living donation? Take NKF's free living donor online course to get started.
