Lupus Warriors React to Selena Gomez's Instagram Revelation
Many celebrities choose to stay quiet about their health conditions, but back in 2015 Selena Gomez revealed she had been diagnosed with lupus. Since then she has been very open about her journey.
But this summer the singer has been unusually quiet, prompting many of her fans to worry and ask questions like, "Where is Selena?" and, "Why isn't she promoting her music?"
This week the star took to Instagram to explain that in May of this year she went into kidney failure and needed a transplant. Gomez's best friend, Francia Raisa, gave Gomez the "ultimate gift" by donating her kidney to her friend.
"So I found out I needed to get a kidney transplant due to my lupus and was recovering," Gomez wrote in her post. "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."
Gomez has long used her social platforms to raise awareness of lupus. In her post, she says, "Lupus continues to be very misunderstood but progress is being made. For more information regarding lupus please go to the Lupus Research Alliance website."
Many people from the NewLifeOutlook community wished Gomez a safe recovery, while others were inspired to share their stories of kidney failure and transplants as a result of lupus.
"Lupus attacked my kidney too," said one community member. "Three years after my diagnosis I went into renal failure. My brother gave me a kidney in June 2013. I have had no issues whatsoever. It is truly a blessing!! I'm so happy for her."
Another community member shared: "I was encouraged reading Selena's post. I have lupus with kidney involvement and last week learned that I will need a transplant."
Others talked about their kidney complications that thankfully didn't result in needing a transplant.
"What a beautiful gift... I also have lupus, and my kidneys were also compromised but mine started to work again on their own, it took almost three years to get them healthy again. Use your voice to educate, and it is a hard disease to live with. Good luck in your recovery."
And some thanked Gomez for sharing her experiences with lupus.
"I've had lupus for 20 years and am thankful it has not attacked my organs yet. Each day is a struggle but I also realize it could be much worse. Thank you for being open about having lupus and bringing more awareness to its impact on people's lives."