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Selena Gomez reveals she had a kidney transplant -- and her donor's name might ring a bell

Pop star Selena Gomez has had a very public battle lupus over the course of her career and Thursday she shared new, intimate details about her disease.

According to an Instagram post, the Grand Prairie-raised singer underwent a kidney transplant this summer necessary to improve her overall health. Her donor's name might also ring a bell: Actress Francia Raisa gave Gomez one her her kidneys, "the ultimate gift and sacrifice," Gomez wrote in her post, adding "I love you so much sis."

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I’m very aware some of my fans had noticed I was laying low for part of the summer and questioning why I wasn’t promoting my new music, which I was extremely proud of. So 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. 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. Until then I want to publicly thank my family and incredible team of doctors for everything they have done for me prior to and post-surgery. And finally, there aren’t words to describe how I can possibly thank my beautiful friend Francia Raisa. She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me. I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much sis. Lupus continues to be very misunderstood but progress is being made. For more information regarding Lupus please go to the Lupus Research Alliance website: www.lupusresearch.org/ -by grace through faith

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"I'm very aware some of my fans had noticed I was laying low for part of the summer and questioning why I wasn't promoting my new music, which I was extremely proud of," Gomez wrote on Instagram with a touching photo of she and Raisa holding hands in the hospital. "So 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. 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."

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According to NBC's medical correspondent, Dr. John Torres, kidney transplants can be common among those with lupus.

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"Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can, among other things, affect the kidneys," he told the publication. "If it causes the immune system to attack the kidneys enough they can fail, requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant."

Gomez previously had chemotherapy to treat her disease and has been an advocate for mental health issues, specifically anxiety and depression, that come along with it. In her Instagram post, Gomez directed fans to Lupus Research Alliance for more information.