Selena Gomez and Francia Raisa Speak Out About the Kidney Transplant That Saved Gomez's Life
Selena Gomez and her best friend and kidney donor, Francia Raisa, are speaking together for the first time about the operation that Gomez says saved her life.
In a preview clip shared today on The Today Show of the pair’s interview, which will air on Monday and Tuesday on Today and Monday night on NBC Nightly News, a teary Gomez said her kidneys “were just done.”
“That was it and I didn’t want to ask a single person in my life, and that was the day I came home when I found out, and she volunteered and did it,” Gomez said.
“You feel that Francia saved your life,” Savannah Guthrie said.
“Because she did. That’s it,” Gomez replied. “I guess I got to the point where it was really kind of life or death.”
Gomez was diagnosed with lupus in 2013. Last month, she revealed in an Instagram post that she had been “laying low” this summer because she received a kidney transplant.
“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,” Gomez wrote.
Since her Instagram post, Gomez hasn’t spoken publicly about her health. However, within days of the post, the Lupus Research Alliance revealed that Gomez’s efforts to support lupus research through donating portions of ticket sales and asking for donations on social media have raised over half a million dollars.
Many of Gomez’s fans believe her new song, “Wolves,” is about her lupus battle because “lupus” means “wolf” in Latin.
Image via Selena Gomez’s Instagram
Erin is the former senior editor and chronic illness editor of The Mighty. She joined The Mighty in 2015 and previously worked at Inside Weddings magazine, Mic, and The Huffington Post. She was also the features editor at The California Aggie, UC Davis' student newspaper. She is honored to be a part of the Mighty community!
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