Francia Raisa Opens Up About Her Generous Kidney Donation to Selena Gomez

Francia Raisa Says Donating Kidney to Selena Gomez Was Her Biggest Act of Kindness

Selena Gomez and Francia Raisa Amanda Edwards/WireImage

Francia Raisa is looking back on the time she donated one of her kidneys to her longtime friend Selena Gomez. When host Robert Peterpaul asked her about her "biggest act of kindness" on his "The Art of Kindness" podcast episode on Monday, April 22, the 35-year-old How I Met Your Father star gave a straightforward response.

"What else can I do besides donating a kidney?" she asked. "It was a personal decision. It was simply an act of kindness, regardless of any rumors."

In September 2017, Gomez, who is 31 years old, revealed that she required a kidney transplant due to her ongoing struggle with lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can impact various parts of the body, such as the joints, as well as vital organs like the kidneys, brain, and heart, as stated by the Mayo Clinic.

"I took some time off this summer and I know some of my fans noticed. They were wondering why I wasn't promoting my new music, which I was really proud of," she shared on Instagram. "Well, the truth is, I had to undergo a kidney transplant because of my Lupus. I needed to focus on my health and recovery."

She went on to express her gratitude, saying, "I can't even put into words how thankful I am to my amazing friend Francia Raisa. She gave me the incredible gift of her kidney. I feel so blessed and grateful. I love you, sis."

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Raisa has been open about her organ donation journey for years. She shared with Peterpaul that while she has faced criticism from social media users, she remains unfazed by the negative comments.

She mentioned, "People will always find something negative to say. I understand that my personal life attracts attention, and I wish it wasn't so surprising. Sometimes, people need a distraction from their own lives. If I can be that distraction, I am grateful that people care about my feelings. I made the decision to donate because I felt it was the right thing to do, and I have been blessed ever since."

Raisa and Gomez first met at a children's hospital in 2007 and have remained friends ever since. However, rumors of a feud between them started circulating when Gomez mentioned in a Rolling Stone interview in November 2022 that Taylor Swift is her "only friend" in the industry.

Following the widespread attention the quote received, Raisa seemed to respond by commenting "interesting" on a post discussing Gomez's interview and unfollowing the Rare Beauty founder on Instagram.

Gomez later explained on TikTok that she didn't mention everyone she knows.

By July 2023, the two seemed to have resolved their differences when Gomez wished the Grown-ish star a happy 35th birthday on Instagram.

In December of that year, Raisa talked about the supposed disagreement in an interview with USA Today.

“I was in St. Tropez in June and I kept mentioning her. We hadn’t really talked much in six years. Especially in the last year, we didn’t talk at all,” Raisa shared with the outlet.

She went on to say that there was never any conflict between them. They simply needed some time apart to grow individually. Now that they have reunited, they are both working on rebuilding their relationship and getting to know each other again.

Editor's P/S:

Francia Raisa's selfless act of donating a kidney to her friend Selena Gomez is a testament to the power of friendship and kindness. Despite facing criticism from social media users, Raisa remains steadfast in her decision, believing that it was the right thing to do. Her unwavering support for Gomez, even through periods of estrangement, highlights the resilience of their bond.

The article also sheds light on the importance of organ donation. Lupus, an autoimmune disease that can affect various organs, including the kidneys, can be debilitating. Raisa's donation gave Gomez a second chance at life, demonstrating the transformative impact that organ donation can have on individuals and their loved ones. It is crucial to raise awareness about organ donation and encourage more people to consider becoming donors to save the lives of those in need.