American singer and actress Selena Gomez has revealed that she had to undergo a kidney transplant recently due to her Lupus condition, with the kidney donated by her best friend.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the human immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks healthy tissues and systems such as the kidneys and blood cells.
According to Billboard, Gomez has who is the most followed instagram user in the world has sold over seven million albums and 22 million singles worldwide.
She announced this on her Instagram post on Thursday with a displayed picture of herself, donor and best friend, actress Francia Raisa on hospital beds with the caption:
“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.
So I found out I needed to get a kidney transplant due to my Lupus and was recovering. It was what I needed to do for my overall health.”
Gomez expressed willingness to share with her fans her experience on the condition soon.
“Until then I want to publicly thank my family and incredible team of doctors for everything they have done for me prior to and post-surgery.
“And finally, 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. Lupus continues to be very misunderstood but progress is being made.’’
Raisa, who is best known for her roles in The Secret Life of an American Teenager and Dear White People made the sacrifice of donating one of her kidneys to Gomez.
Ever since revealing her lupus diagnosis in 2015, Gomez has been upfront about the impact the autoimmune disease has had on her health , career and quality of life.
Gomez began her career starring in the popular children’s television series Barney and Friends and rose to fame playing the lead role of Alex Russo in the Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place.
Gomez released her solo debut album Star Dance in 2013.
The album debuted atop the Billboard200 in the United States, and included the top ten single “Come and Get It”.