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Selena Gomez opens up on 'life or death' kidney donation in upcoming NBC interview

NEW YORK (AP) -- Selena Gomez says her friend Francia Raisa saved her life by donating a kidney to the singer earlier this year.

Gomez and Raisa sat down for an interview with NBC News that is set to air next week. In a preview clip , Gomez says she didn't want to ask anyone to be a donor, but Raisa "volunteered and did it." Gomez announced the procedure last month, saying she needed a new kidney due to her struggle with lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the body mistakenly attacks its own tissues, sometimes including the kidneys.

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She tells NBC her condition "was really kind of life or death."

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The 29-year-old Raisa is an actress best known for her role on the ABC Family series The Secret Life of the American Teenager.

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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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