Selena's Kidney Transplant 'My Battle Isn't Over'

THE STAR RECEIVES THE ULTIMATE GIFT FROM HER BESTIE

- Amber Bramble

They’ve stuck by each other through nine years of joy and heartbreak, successes and disappointments. But this year Selena Gomez got the greatest gift of all from her friend and fellow actress Francia Raisa. Until last week, Selena had kept her kidney condition a secret from everyone except her family and closest friends. But on September 14, she broke her silence in a heartfelt Instagram message, thanking her friend for the ‘ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney’ after she learnt she’d need a transplant due to her battle with autoimmune condition lupus.

Both girls are ‘doing great’, Francia’s mum Virginia Almendarez confirms. ‘Thankfully the kidney was compatible and everything came out perfectly.’

She also reveals that Francia, 29, wasn’t paid a ‘single penny’. Her only motivation was her friendship with Selena. ‘She didn’t receive any benefit from this, only the benefit of Selena having a better life,’ Virginia explains.

HER SECRET BATTLE