
Actress/Singer Selena Gomez took to her Instagram on Thursday to open up to fans about what she was up to this summer.
Selena shared a slideshow of pictures of herself in the hospital and showing off a scar, revealing that she underwent surgery earlier this summer to receive a kidney transplant from her close friend (and former Secret Life of the American Teenager star) Francia Raisa because of her Lupus.
“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,” Selena wrote.
“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/”
Selena first revealed she had Lupus in 2015. According to the Mayo Clinic, Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that happens when: “your body’s immune system attacks your own tissues and organs. Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems — including your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs.”