Bijou Phillips is in urgent need of a living kidney donor. The actress, who had a transplant in 2017, is currently hospitalized at UCLA and on dialysis due to complications from her previous transplant.
In a heartfelt plea on Instagram, she said, “Please help me find a living donor so that I can have more time with my daughter, family, and friends. Time is of the essence.”
Since birth, Phillips has faced kidney issues. She shared that she spent her early months in the NICU on dialysis because she was born with underdeveloped kidneys. The kidney she received in 2017 allowed her to enjoy eight precious years with her daughter. Unfortunately, she has struggled with several health problems since then.
Phillips contracted the BK virus, which led to complications including kidney rejection. According to the National Kidney Foundation, recipients of organ transplants are more susceptible to this virus. It can remain dormant but may reactivate due to immunosuppressive medications—these are designed to prevent organ rejection but can weaken immunity overall.
For potential donors, Phillips shared a link to a questionnaire to help assess blood type and health history.
Phillips has full custody of her daughter, who is now 11 years old. The child’s father, Danny Masterson, is serving a 30-year prison sentence following serious criminal convictions. Phillips had filed for divorce from him in 2013.
The act of donating a kidney can be life-changing. In the U.S., about 100,000 people await kidney transplants, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing. Each year, thousands die while waiting, making awareness and outreach essential. It’s a community effort—donors can be anyone meeting specific health criteria, and the screening process is straightforward.
Phillips’s situation highlights the urgency for donors and the impact of kidney diseases. As she continues her search for a donor, stories like hers remind us of the importance of compassion and support in health crises.
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Bijou Phillips
