Actress Bijou Phillips has made an urgent public appeal this week, reaching out to fans and the public for assistance in finding a kidney donor. The "Raising Hope" star shared a heartfelt and emotional post on Instagram Wednesday, disclosing that she is currently hospitalized in Los Angeles and desperately requires a kidney transplant to survive.
A Mother's Plea for More Time
"I need help finding a new kidney," Phillips wrote in her social media message. "I'm asking as a friend, a sister, an aunt and, most importantly, a single mother to an incredible and brave daughter. I am in need of a kidney." The actress emphasized the critical nature of her situation, stating plainly that "time is of the essence" in her search for a living donor.
Longstanding Health Struggles Revealed
In her detailed post, Phillips explained the background of her medical condition. She was born with underdeveloped kidneys, a congenital issue that has plagued her health for years. In 2017, she received what she called "the incredible gift of a kidney from a dear friend," undergoing a transplant that offered hope. However, that hope has since faded due to a series of subsequent health complications.
"These issues led to a cellular and antibody rejection," Phillips revealed, indicating that her body has rejected the transplanted organ. This rejection has necessitated her current hospitalization and the urgent new search for a compatible donor. "Please help me find a living donor so that I can have more time with my daughter, family, and friends," she pleaded.
Overwhelming Response and Family Support
According to a report from TMZ published Thursday, Phillips' public plea has already generated a massive response. More than 1,000 prospective kidney donors have reportedly come forward following her Instagram post. Medical professionals, however, are still in the process of evaluating these potential donors to determine a suitable match for the actress.
Meanwhile, family support has been steadfast. Her half-sisters, Chynna Phillips and Mackenzie Phillips, have visited her in the hospital in the days since she was first admitted. Bijou Phillips is the daughter of the late musician John Phillips, a founding member of the legendary 1960s pop group the Mamas & the Papas.
Personal Life and Past Health Disclosures
Phillips shares an 11-year-old daughter, Fianna Francis, with her estranged husband, actor Danny Masterson. Masterson, best known for his role as Steven Hyde on "That '70s Show," is currently serving a 30-year prison sentence after being convicted of raping two women.
The actress's kidney problems first became public knowledge in 2017 when she disclosed she had been on a transplant waiting list for approximately five years. At that time, a representative told People magazine that Phillips had adopted a vegan diet and stress-free lifestyle in an effort to heal her body, but these measures ultimately proved insufficient.
"She's been privately having dialysis," the representative explained. The 2017 situation seemed hopeful when Phillips learned a friend was a match, leading to optimism about an imminent transplant. That transplant did occur, but its subsequent failure has now led to this new, more urgent public appeal for a life-saving donor.
