Actress Bijou Phillips has announced that she is currently hospitalized and in urgent need of a kidney donor. The Almost Famous star shared her emotional health journey with followers on Instagram, highlighting her ongoing battle with serious medical complications. This follows her previous kidney transplant in 2017, which had provided her with several years of improved health.
On Wednesday, the 45-year-old actress posted heartfelt messages alongside photos of her 11-year-old daughter, Fianna. In her appeal, Phillips emphasized her role not only as an actress but also as a “friend, sister, aunt,” and particularly as a “single mother” who wishes to be present for her daughter.
Health Struggles and Previous Transplant
In her Instagram post, Phillips disclosed that she was born with underdeveloped kidneys, leading to her spending the first three months of her life in a neonatal intensive care unit while on dialysis. After receiving a donated kidney from a close friend in 2017, she described those years as “eight precious years” dedicated to raising her daughter.
Despite this success, Phillips has faced ongoing health issues, including complications from the BK virus, which resulted in both cellular and antibody rejection of the transplanted kidney. Currently under the care of Dr. Anjay Rastogi at UCLA, she has returned to dialysis as she seeks help in finding a living donor.
Phillips expressed a deep desire to extend her time with family and friends, stating, “Time is of the essence,” in her plea for support.
A Call for Living Donors
The urgency of her situation echoes her previous health challenges. In 2017, a spokesperson for Phillips noted that she was maintaining a low-stress lifestyle and following a vegan diet before her initial need for a transplant. Just two months later, she underwent the procedure, which was described by her then-husband, Danny Masterson, as “100% successful.”
Phillips’ current health crisis serves as a sobering reminder of the ongoing need for organ donors. As she navigates this difficult time, her heartfelt request resonates with many, shedding light on the realities faced by individuals requiring organ transplants.
Through her candid sharing, Bijou Phillips not only raises awareness about kidney health but also calls on the community for support, hoping for a brighter future for both herself and her daughter.
