Bijou Phillips Seeks Kidney Donor While Undergoing Dialysis
Bijou Phillips is urgently seeking a living kidney donor as she faces significant health challenges. The actress received a kidney transplant in 2017, but complications have arisen, necessitating another transplant sooner rather than later. Currently, Phillips is hospitalized at UCLA and undergoing dialysis.
Health Challenges and Background
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Phillips emphasized the need for a donor, stating, “Please help me find a living donor so that I can have more time with my daughter, family, and friends.” She also highlighted the urgency of her situation, saying, “Time is of the essence.”
Bijou has struggled with kidney-related health issues since birth. She was born with underdeveloped kidneys and spent her early life in the NICU on dialysis. The 2017 transplant from a close friend provided her with eight valuable years of motherhood.
Complications After Transplant
Following her transplant, Phillips encountered numerous health problems, including contracting the BK virus, which can pose serious risks for kidney transplant recipients. The National Kidney Foundation explains that this virus, also known as polyomavirus, can become active again after a transplant, especially due to immunosuppressive medications aimed at preventing organ rejection.
How to Help
To facilitate her search for a donor, Phillips shared a link on Instagram to a Google Form. This questionnaire collects essential information from potential donors, including:
- Blood type
- Chronic health issues
- Age
- Name
- Contact information
She encouraged followers to fill it out by stating, “It will only take 15 seconds and can save a life.” In her plea, Phillips expresses her roles as a friend, sister, aunt, and single mother to her brave 11-year-old daughter.
Personal Background
Phillips holds full custody of her daughter, as the child’s father, Danny Masterson, is currently incarcerated. Masterson was sentenced to 30 years in prison after being found guilty of forcible rape. Phillips and Masterson were married for almost 12 years before she filed for divorce in 2013.
