In an Instagram post, Selena Gomez revealed the real reason why she was laying low during the summer. The 25-year-old singer was recovering from a kidney transplant and shared the news posting photos of not only her scar, but also her donor who happens to be her longtime best friend, Francia Raisa.
“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 captioned the post. “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.”
Francia and Selena can be seeing holding hands and smiling at each other from their hospital beds. “There aren’t words to describe how I can possibly thank my beautiful friend Francia Raisa,” wrote the singer of “Same Old Love.”
“She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me. I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much sis,” she added.
Gomez also encourages her fans to get more information about the autoimmune disease and shared the official website. “For more information regarding Lupus please go to the Lupus Research Alliance website.”
In July 2016, Francia wrote emotional words to Gomez, celebrating not only their friendship but Selena's birthday. "I went through heartbreak this year and you left the studio and drove out of your way to come see me and comfort me," remembered Francia. "I received good news last month and you facetimed me minutes before you went up on stage just to congratulate me. There are so many moments we have and things you do that I cherish and don't take for granted."
"Whether its crying, laughing, or simply sitting on my kitchen floor throwing our hands up in the air confused at life, I'm thankful you're always there. I am obsessed with every memory we've built in the last 8 years and the ones we have yet to create," she wrote. "I am so grateful that God put you in my life when he did. If you think about the time that we met and where we were in our lives when we first hung out, his timing was perfect. It's been so inspiring watching you grow and to grow with you. I learn so much from you and I'm so so so proud of you. Happy Birthday Hermana."
In October 2015 Gomez revealed that she was diagnosed with lupus, and a year later, in August 2016, she took a career break after suffering from “anxiety, panic attacks and depression” due to her lupus diagnosis.
Gomez wants to be an advocate for the disease, telling Billboard that was the main reason she decided to go public with her diagnosis. “I waited for the right time to talk about it because I am in a great place, and I’m very healthy,” she said. “I’m not trying to be loud about it: It was time to use my platform to help.”
Lupus is a chronic, complex autoimmune disease that affects millions of people worldwide. According to the Alliance for Lupus Research, the Lupus Research Institute and the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation, more than 90% of people with lupus are women, mostly young women between the ages of 15 to 44.
Women of color are especially at risk. In lupus, the immune system, which is designed to protect against infection, creates antibodies that attack the body’s own tissues and organs - the kidneys, brain, heart, lungs, blood, skin, and joints.
You can get involved participating in the Lupus Research Alliance "Walk with Us to Cure Lupus" program, or join the Young Leaders group, attend events, help with fundraising, and more. You can also email info@lupusresearch.org to learn about other ways how you can participate.
The new Lupus Research Alliance website is currently under construction. Meanwhile, for news and information about the three legacy organizations comprising it, please visit Lupus Research, Lupus Research Institute, and Lupus NY.
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