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Selena Gomez and Francia Raisa Speak Out About the Kidney Transplant That Saved Gomez's Life

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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.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

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

A post shared by Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) on

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

Originally published: October 27, 2017
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