Selena reveals her kidney transplant and her pal donor
LOOKING a little pale, Selena Gomez, above right, nevertheless looks unmistakably thrilled. And it’s little wonder. As she revealed yesterday, the 25-year-old earlier this year underwent a kidney transplant – thanks to the generosity of her friend Francia Raisa, left, who donated her kidney to the young actress.
In a touching Instagram post, the former Disney star disclosed to the world at large for the first time that she had spent the summer recovering from the life-altering operation, which she underwent as part of her fight against lupus, a condition of the immune system.
The actress also revealed that the donor had been her friend, 29-yearold Francia, who is a model and actress from Los Angeles.
‘She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice,’ Selena wrote. ‘I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much.’
As well as the picture of the two young women in hospital, Selena, who is working on a Woody Allen film project, also posted two other photos, including one of her surgical scar. She wrote: ‘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. 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. I honestly look forward to sharing with you, soon, my journey through these past several months as I have always wanted to do with you.’