Update 12/03/21: Selena Gomez Publicly Thanks Best Friend Francia Raisa Years After Life-Saving Kidney Donation

Almost four years since Selena Gomez revealed she received life-saving kidney transplant surgery, her best friend and donor, Francia Raisia, has decided to speak out about her generous decision.

Though the pair gave a moving joint interview at the time, actor Raisia has kept relatively tight-lipped about her actions, until yesterday which is World Kidney Day in the US (March 11).

Alongside a picture of herself in a hospital gown and a link out to World Kidney Day's campaign, the 32-year-old wrote on Twitter: 'If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that I’ve kept my kidney donation process pretty private. However, I think I’ve gotten to a point in my life where I feel comfortable and confident in speaking about my experience, and using my platform to raise awareness...'

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Amplifying her friend's message, and showing her gratitude, Gomez responded, writing: 'Thank you for blessing me. I am forever grateful to you.'

What a bond these friends must have.

27/10/17: Selena Gomez Opens Up About BFF Francia Raisa Saving Her Life With Kidney Donation

Last month, the world was shocked to learn that Selena Gomez had undergone a kidney transplant due to her lupus condition, with an organ donated by her friend Francia Raisa.

Delivering news of the operation via Instagram to her fans, the 25-year-old said there would come a point when she'd be ready to talk about the life-changing ordeal.

'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,' she wrote in the caption to a picture of her and Raisa lying side-by-side in hospital.

Well, that moment turned out to be today.

In an interview with the Today show - which is scheduled to air on Monday and Tuesday - the 'Fetish' singer opens up about the moment she found out she needed a transplant, her concerns regarding finding a donor, and her reaction when she found out that Raisa was willing to give her a kidney.

In Twitter post of a teaser from the interview, Gomez reveals her kidneys were completely 'done'.

'You feel that Francia saved your life?' interviewer Savannah Guthrie asks Gomez during the clip.

'Because she did. That's it,' Gomez replies.

The emotional interview comes weeks after Raisa, who's starred on the Secret Life of the American Teenager and the TV adaptation of Dear White People, attended the People magazine's 'Ones to Watch' event, wearing a studded white suit with a sheer shirt to show off her scars.

Francia Raisa | ELLE UKpinterest
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As a result of Gomez's openness about her transplant, the Lupus Research Alliance has seen donations skyrocket and, as of 18 September, they had reached an incredible £370,000 ($500,000).

What a strong bond Raisa and Gomez have.

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Katie O'Malley
Site Director

Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.