Model and actor Bijou Phillips has issued an urgent online appeal for a kidney donor after her first transplant, received in 2017, failed due to severe complications. The 45-year-old is currently undergoing dialysis in a Los Angeles hospital, facing a critical health crisis that includes infection with the BK virus, which triggered cellular and antibody rejection of the transplanted organ.
Longstanding Health Struggles from Birth
Phillips was diagnosed with kidney disease at birth, spending her first three months on dialysis because her kidneys were underdeveloped. This lifelong condition has now escalated, prompting her to turn to social media for help. In a heartfelt post on Instagram, she urged her followers to complete a brief questionnaire and register as living donors, highlighting the dire need for a compatible match to save her life.
Personal Life Amid Health Battle
Phillips is the single mother of her daughter, Fianna, whose father is actor Danny Masterson. Following their divorce, she was awarded full custody of Fianna in October 2023, adding a layer of personal responsibility to her health struggles. The situation underscores the emotional and physical toll of her ongoing medical ordeal, as she balances motherhood with a fight for survival.
The public appeal has drawn attention to the challenges faced by transplant patients, especially those with rare complications like the BK virus. Phillips's story serves as a stark reminder of the importance of organ donation and the urgent needs within the healthcare system for individuals battling chronic illnesses.
