Selena Gomez Discusses Lupus Struggles During Gala In NYC
Selena Gomez attended Monday night's Lupus Research Alliance Annual Gala at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York. During the event, she opened up about her health struggles.
Just one day after being accused of lip syncing at the 2017 American Music Awards, the 25 year-old took to the stage at the Lupus event and shared new details about her diagnosis and recent kidney transplant.
“I am really honored to be here with all of you guys tonight, my lupus community. As many of you know, or might now know, I was diagnosed with lupus about five or six years ago. I’ve been speaking out about my situation to raise awareness about the disease,” Gomez began, according to a Nov. 21 report by Hollywood Life.
According to Gomez, she underwent tests to monitor her kidneys and was later informed by her doctors that she was suffering from Lupus Nephritis, one of the many complications of the illness. She was also informed that she would need a kidney transplant, which she got earlier this year from one of her best friends. As she noted, the new kidney from her friend was the "the ultimate gift of life."
Gomez first went public with her kidney transplant on Instagram in September and shared an image of herself and her friend actress, Francia Raisa, who was her kidney donor, side-by-side in hospital beds after their surgeries took place.
"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," she explained. "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."
Also in her statement to her fans and followers, Gomez thanked Raisa for giving her the "ultimate sacrifice" by donating her kidney and said she felt incredibly blessed.
Gomez was diagnosed with Lupus in August of last year, she confirmed to People magazine that she was experiencing side effects of the illness, which included anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. A short time later, the singer checked into a treatment center in Tennessee before making her return to the spotlight that November at the 2016 American Music Awards.
As for what's next for Gomez, fans have been waiting on the edge of their seats for a possible album release date but so far, they have not received any such thing.
