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Selena Gomez recovering from kidney transplant

Posted at 8:06 AM, Sep 14, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-14 10:50:19-04

LOS ANGELES — Selena Gomez revealed on Thursday that she received a kidney transplant from her BFF.

The 25-year-old singer posted a photo on Instragram that shows her and fellow actress Francia Raisa holding hands across their hospital beds.

“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,” Gomez wrote in the caption.” “So I found out I needed to get a kidney transplant due to my Lupus and was recovering.”

Gomez revealed her Lupus diagnosis in 2015 and last year took some time off as she struggled with the disease as well as anxiety and depression.

The superstar said the transplant was “what I needed to do for my overall health.”

She said she looked forward to sharing more with her fans later about her transplant journey, but in the meantime she wanted to thank her health team and Raisa.

“She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me,” Gomez said. “I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much sis.”

Raisa is an actress best known for her role as Adrian Lee on the TV series “The Secret Life of the American Teenager.”

On Thursday, Gomez fans swarmed Raisa’s latest Instragram photo to thank her for the kidney donation.

“You’re amazing,” one person commented. “You’re one hell of a friend.”

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect a person’s joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain, according to the Lupus Research Alliance.

“Although people with the disease may have many different symptoms, some of the most common ones include extreme fatigue, painful or swollen joints (arthritis), unexplained fever, skin rashes, and kidney problems,” the organization wrote on its website. “At present, there is no cure for lupus. However, lupus can be effectively treated with drugs, and most people with the disease can lead active, healthy lives.”

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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. 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. 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. For more information regarding Lupus please go to the Lupus Research Alliance website: www.lupusresearch.org/ -by grace through faith

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