Selena Gomez Seeks Support After Kidney Transplant

Selena Gomez was spotted visiting a friend in NYC Friday, just days after revealing she underwent kidney transplant surgery this summer. The actress and singer took to Instagram last week to make her stunning announcement. Selena posted a photo of herself holding hands across hospital beds with her BFF, The Secret Life of the American Teenager star Francia Raisa, who donated her kidney to the Same Old Love singer. Selena wanted to explain to her fans why she’d been lying low this summer and to publicly thank her family, medical team, and of course, Francia.

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 Sep 14, 2017 at 3:07am PDT

The It Ain’t Me singer looked beautiful in a light blue dress and shades as she left her friend’s NYC apartment. More importantly, she looked healthy. Selena has Lupus and has suffered several side effects from the autoimmune disease including depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. The need for a kidney transplant is not uncommon for those diagnosed with lupus. Selena has taken time off from her busy work schedule in order to rest and is making her health a priority.

The Lupus Foundation of America estimates that 1.5 million Americans and 5 million people worldwide have a form of lupus. In her Instagram post Selena encourages people to learn more about the disease by visiting Lupus Research Alliance’s website lupusresearch.org. There is unfortunately no cure today for lupus.