Everything to Know About Selena Gomez's BFF and Kidney Donor Francia Raisa

Peggy Truong
Updated
Photo credit: Instagram
Photo credit: Instagram

From ELLE UK

Feliz cumpleaños a mi hermana, My forever friend ❤️

A post shared by Francia Raísa (@franciaraisa) on Jul 22, 2017 at 9:09pm PDT

Selena Gomez took to Instagram on Thursday to reveal that she had received a kidney transplant over the summer. "It was what I needed to do for my overall health," she wrote, adding that the transplant was related to her Lupus and that she has been recovering for "several months."

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

A post shared by Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) on Sep 14, 2017 at 3:07am PDT

She thanked her family, the "incredible" team of doctors, and her "beautiful friend" Francia Raisa, who donated her kidney. Below, more on that "beautiful friend."

1. Francia and Selena have been friends since 2008. In 2016, Francia dedicated a lengthy Instagram post to Selena for her 24th birthday. "There are so many moments we have and things you do that I cherish and don't take for granted," she wrote. "Whether its crying, laughing, or simply sitting on my kitchen floor throwing our hands up in the air confused at life, I'm thankful you're always there."

I went through heartbreak this year and you left the studio and drove out of your way to come see me and comfort me. I received good news last month and you facetimed me minutes before you went up on stage just to congratulate me. There are so many moments we have and things you do that I cherish and don't take for granted. Wether its crying, laughing, or simply sitting on my kitchen floor throwing our hands up in the air confused at life, I'm thankful you're always there. I am obsessed with every memory we've built in the last 8 years and the ones we have yet to create. I am so grateful that God put you in my life when he did. If you think about the time that we met and where we were in our lives when we first hung out, his timing was perfect. It's been so inspiring watching you grow and to grow with you. I learn so much from you and I'm so so so proud of you. Happy Birthday Hermana. Love you so so so much @selenagomez

A post shared by Francia Raísa (@franciaraisa) on Jul 22, 2016 at 8:28am PDT

2. They consider each other sisters from another mother. No really, they love to call each other "sister" or "hermana." In 2015, Francia revealed that Selena gave her a necklace that said "a sister is a forever friend" when they first met.

When we first met you gave me a necklace that says "a sister is a forever friend" your support and words this night meant the world to me. I love you sis! My forever friend. Happy 23rd Birthday! ]]>🎉😂👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🎬