Selena Gomez Health News: Singer Reveals Recent Kidney Transplant Surgery; Thanks Her Donor and Friend Francia Raisa
Singer-actress Selena Gomez surprised fans and followers after revealing that she recently underwent kidney transplant surgery and revealed that her donor was no less than her best friend Francia Raisa.
Fans had no clue that Gomez had the kidney transplant surgery until she came clean and posted about it on her Instagram account that had more than 127 million following.
Gomez posted three photos related to her recent surgery. One of the images that Gomez shared showed her and Raisa holding hands while each on their hospital beds. In the lengthy caption, Gomez explained to her fans she has not been actively promoting her new single "Fetish" that was released in late July.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
The singer said: "I'm very aware some of my fans had noticed I was laying low for part of the summer and questioning why I wasn't promoting my new music, which I was extremely proud of."
She went on to reveal that the kidney transplant was "what I needed to do for my overall health." In 2015, Gomez first opened up about her struggle with lupus – an illness described as "a chronic autoimmune disease" that attacks any of the patient's organs.
The "13 Reasons Why" executive producer also mentioned in her social media post that she prefers to publicly share her struggles and road to recovery to her fans "soon." For now, Gomez's Instagram message focused on thanking her family and "incredible team of doctors" who supported her before and after the medical procedure.
She then went on to express her gratitude to her friend, Raisa, for donating her kidney.
According to TMZ, they have sources that say several family relatives of Gomez were tested first for the kidney transplant but no one matched. The surgery was made possible after Raisa offered to help by donating her organ.
"There aren't words to describe how I can possibly thank my beautiful friend, Francia Raisa. She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me. I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much sis," Gomez tells the "The Secret Life of American Teenager" star.
In the same TMZ report, Raisa is said to be recovering very well but had to stay off heavy workouts and follow a strict diet for two months following the surgery.
Gomez ended her post by encouraging her followers to learn more about lupus by visiting the Lupus Research Alliance website.
