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Selena Gomez Re-emerges After Kidney Surgery For Her Lupus Treatment

The singer revealed Thursday on Instagram she had a kidney transplant and has been recovering for a few months.
Posted at 3:27 PM, Sep 14, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-14 15:27:02-04

Selena Gomez has laid low for the past several months, and for good reason — she's recovering from a kidney transplant.

The singer revealed Thursday on Instagram she had the transplant this summer for her lupus treatment.

She said the donor was her "beautiful friend," actress Francia Raisa.

Gomez first revealed her lupus diagnosis in 2015. She's had treatments to fight the disease, including chemotherapy.

Lupus is a chronic illness; the immune system attacks healthy tissue, causing inflammation and damage.

According to the Lupus Research Alliance, the disease can affect major organs like the skin, brain, joints and kidneys. 

There currently isn't a cure.

But treating patients with certain drugs and chemotherapy can help control the disease.

Gomez isn't alone in her battle against lupus. An estimated 1.5 million Americans also suffer from the disease.

And among those are several other celebrities — including Nick Cannon, Toni Braxton and Seal.