Ever wondered why Selena Gomez’s career and public appearances have taken a back seat lately? Nope, it’s not because of her relationship with The Weeknd.
Despite posing an adorable meet-and-greet with a young fan during New York Fashion Week, the 25-year-old singer shocked fans when she revealed that she recently had a kidney transplant. The secret surgery was to treat her ongoing battle with lupus after experiencing kidney failure.
Yesterday (Thursday, 14th September), Gomez posted a series of photos including a touching photo of her and fellow actress Francia Raisa holding hands while lying side by side on their hospital beds. Although the pop star didn’t disclosed when or where the transplant took place, rumour has it that the procedure took place at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles in June.
“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,” she wrote.
Gomez continued, “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.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BW4AnjbD5ak/?taken-by=franciaraisa
Raisa also took to her Instagram how this procedure has strengthen them as individuals and also their relationship together. “I am beyond grateful that God would trust me with something that not only saved a life, but changed mine in the process. This was part of our story, and we will share it soon, but what is important now is that this is not the only story,” the actress shared.
“Francia and Selena are like sisters. There’s a group of girls who have always stuck close to Selena. Her inner circle is very tight and everyone protects Selena. Francia comes from a big family … Selena is like a sister to her. Selena didn’t ask Francia to be tested as a match – Francia is the kind of person who would offer to do that for any one of her friends,” a source said.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BIKzXqjBLkX/?taken-by=franciaraisa
The insider added, “Francia told a few people in her inner circle that she was donating one of her kidneys, but no one knew who it was for. A lot of people in their inner circle knew that Francia was undergoing surgery but really didn’t ask too many questions.”
Another source told US Weekly, “They’ve thought of each other as sisters, and beyond their obvious bond through work and womanhood, they also share a lot through their faith and being Latina. Francia is incredibly supportive and would provide a shoulder to cry on for any friend in need. She really is a wonderfully special person.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/qwjyb4pg64/?taken-by=franciaraisa
After being diagnosed with lupus in 2015, Gomez took a career break in August 2016 to cope with her “anxiety, panic attacks and depression”. In case you didn’t know, lupus is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks its own tissues by mistake, sometimes including the kidneys.
Gomez and Raisa’s story is truly inspiring, isn’t it?
Sources: People, US Weekly, Billboard, The Guardian/ Featured image: Instagram.
