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Selena Gomez - Selena Gomez suffers from the autoimmune disease lupus. This caused complications for her kidneys and she was put on the organ donor waiting list.
© Getty Images
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Selena Gomez
- Unfortunately she would have had to wait around 10 years to make it to the top of the list, during which time she'd have to undergo dialysis. It's a grueling treatment where the patient spends hours having their blood filtered by a machine several times a week.
© Getty Images
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Selena Gomez
- Gomez shared that didn't want to ask anyone in her life for a donation, but her best friend and roommate, actress Francia Raísa volunteered.
© Getty Images
3 / 30 Fotos
Sarah Hyland
- 'Modern Family' star Sarah Hyland was diagnosed with kidney dysplasia many years ago. In 2012 she needed a transplant and her dad donated one of his kidneys for the procedure.
© Getty Images
4 / 30 Fotos
Sarah Hyland
- Unfortunately, her body started to reject the new organ so she needed a second transplant in 2017. This time her brother donated one of his kidneys.
© Getty Images
5 / 30 Fotos
Sarah Hyland
- The second transplant seems to have been successful and Hyland has recovered. She's continuing her acting career and speaking out to raise awareness and destigmatize health issues like hers.
© Getty Images
6 / 30 Fotos
Steve Jobs
- It's well known that Steve Jobs died after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, but he also underwent a liver transplant in 2009.
© BrunoPress
7 / 30 Fotos
Steve Jobs
- There was speculation that his position of power and vast wealth helped him to jump the organ donor waiting list, but it wasn't proven. Sadly, he died the following year.
© Getty Images
8 / 30 Fotos
Tracy Morgan
- Comedian and actor Tracy Morgan had diabetes complications in 2010 and required a kidney transplant. Luckily, someone close to him stepped up.
© Getty Images
9 / 30 Fotos
Tracy Morgan
- His then-girlfriend Tanisha Hall donated one of her kidneys to him. Unfortunately they later broke up, but he spoke out at public events to thank her for her sacrifice.
© Getty Images
10 / 30 Fotos
Mandy Patinkin
- Actor Mandy Patinkin, known for his roles in 'The Princess Bride' and 'Criminal Minds,' was diagnosed with an eye disease called keratoconus in the '90s, which would seriously affect his sight.
© Getty Images
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Mandy Patinkin - Patinkin has since received two corneal transplants. He's now an advocate for organ donation.
© Getty Images
12 / 30 Fotos
Lucy Davis
- British actor Lucy Davis is well known for her roles in 'The Office' and the comedy horror 'Shawn of the Dead.' In 1993 she went for a routine check-up and was diagnosed with kidney failure.
© Getty Images
13 / 30 Fotos
Lucy Davis
- She delayed her transplant for a few years but no suitable donor was found, so she eventually accepted her mother's offer to donate. The actor is now thriving and most recently played Aunt Hilda in 'Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.'
© Getty Images
14 / 30 Fotos
George Lopez - Comedian George Lopez suffered from kidney disease for years. He was told he needed a transplant when his organs had deteriorated so badly that they didn't show up on an ultrasound!
© Getty Images
15 / 30 Fotos
George Lopez
- His wife generously donated one of her kidneys to him and they started a foundation to raise awareness about kidney disease.
© Getty Images
16 / 30 Fotos
James Redford
- James Redford, son of Robert Redford and a well respected filmmaker in his own right, required two transplants in his life. His liver was seriously damaged by the disease ulcerative colitis and he underwent a transplant.
© Getty Images
17 / 30 Fotos
James Redford
- The surgery was botched and he received a second transplant just in time to save his life. He made a documentary called 'The Kindness of Strangers' exploring the people who give and receive these organ donations.
© Getty Images
18 / 30 Fotos
Evel Knievel - Legendary daredevil stuntman Evel Knievel is another celeb who needed a transplant. He suffered from hepatitis C which was destroying his liver.
© Getty Images
19 / 30 Fotos
Evel Knievel
- It's speculated that he contracted the disease from one of the many blood transfusions he required after his crash landings! He had a liver transplant in 1999.
© Getty Images
20 / 30 Fotos
Natalie Cole
- Singer Natalie Cole is the daughter of famous crooner Nat King Cole. She also suffered from hepatitis and her search for a kidney donation was widely publicized.
© Getty Images
21 / 30 Fotos
Natalie Cole
- Dozens of people emailed her to say that they'd be willing to do it. In the end, a fan of hers passed away and their family members asked that a kidney be donated directly to her.
© Getty Images
22 / 30 Fotos
Larry Hagman
- Larry Hagman played a devious oil tycoon on 'Dallas,' one of the longest-running TV shows in history.
© Getty Images
23 / 30 Fotos
Larry Hagman
- He was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver in the mid-'90s and was told he had six months to live. He ended up getting a liver transplant that saved his life and he lived to the age of 81.
© Getty Images
24 / 30 Fotos
Phil Lesh
- Phil Lesh was the bassist for the legendary band 'The Grateful Dead.' He had hepatitis C and in the '90s his liver had been irreparably damaged.
© Getty Images
25 / 30 Fotos
Phil Lesh
- He was lucky to receive a liver donation and he went on to become an outspoken advocate for organ donor programs. He would often speak to fans about becoming organ donors at concerts, and these sections of the recordings became known as the "donor rap."
© Getty Images
26 / 30 Fotos
David Crosby
- Rock fans will know David Crosby as the legendary guitarist who played with The Byrds, and Stills and Nash. He was another star who had a long history with hepatitis C, possibly stemming from his drug use.
© Getty Images
27 / 30 Fotos
David Crosby
- He had a highly publicized liver transplant as a result of his condition, which was famously paid for by Phil Collins. (Self) (Insider) (CNN) (Her Moments) (CNN) (Live For Live Music)
© Getty Images
28 / 30 Fotos
What next?
- Stars seem to have it all, but you never know what people are dealing with when the cameras aren't rolling. Find out which celebs actually suffer from rare diseases.
© Getty Images
29 / 30 Fotos
© Getty Images
0 / 30 Fotos
Selena Gomez - Selena Gomez suffers from the autoimmune disease lupus. This caused complications for her kidneys and she was put on the organ donor waiting list.
© Getty Images
1 / 30 Fotos
Selena Gomez
- Unfortunately she would have had to wait around 10 years to make it to the top of the list, during which time she'd have to undergo dialysis. It's a grueling treatment where the patient spends hours having their blood filtered by a machine several times a week.
© Getty Images
2 / 30 Fotos
Selena Gomez
- Gomez shared that didn't want to ask anyone in her life for a donation, but her best friend and roommate, actress Francia Raísa volunteered.
© Getty Images
3 / 30 Fotos
Sarah Hyland
- 'Modern Family' star Sarah Hyland was diagnosed with kidney dysplasia many years ago. In 2012 she needed a transplant and her dad donated one of his kidneys for the procedure.
© Getty Images
4 / 30 Fotos
Sarah Hyland
- Unfortunately, her body started to reject the new organ so she needed a second transplant in 2017. This time her brother donated one of his kidneys.
© Getty Images
5 / 30 Fotos
Sarah Hyland
- The second transplant seems to have been successful and Hyland has recovered. She's continuing her acting career and speaking out to raise awareness and destigmatize health issues like hers.
© Getty Images
6 / 30 Fotos
Steve Jobs
- It's well known that Steve Jobs died after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, but he also underwent a liver transplant in 2009.
© BrunoPress
7 / 30 Fotos
Steve Jobs
- There was speculation that his position of power and vast wealth helped him to jump the organ donor waiting list, but it wasn't proven. Sadly, he died the following year.
© Getty Images
8 / 30 Fotos
Tracy Morgan
- Comedian and actor Tracy Morgan had diabetes complications in 2010 and required a kidney transplant. Luckily, someone close to him stepped up.
© Getty Images
9 / 30 Fotos
Tracy Morgan
- His then-girlfriend Tanisha Hall donated one of her kidneys to him. Unfortunately they later broke up, but he spoke out at public events to thank her for her sacrifice.
© Getty Images
10 / 30 Fotos
Mandy Patinkin
- Actor Mandy Patinkin, known for his roles in 'The Princess Bride' and 'Criminal Minds,' was diagnosed with an eye disease called keratoconus in the '90s, which would seriously affect his sight.
© Getty Images
11 / 30 Fotos
Mandy Patinkin - Patinkin has since received two corneal transplants. He's now an advocate for organ donation.
© Getty Images
12 / 30 Fotos
Lucy Davis
- British actor Lucy Davis is well known for her roles in 'The Office' and the comedy horror 'Shawn of the Dead.' In 1993 she went for a routine check-up and was diagnosed with kidney failure.
© Getty Images
13 / 30 Fotos
Lucy Davis
- She delayed her transplant for a few years but no suitable donor was found, so she eventually accepted her mother's offer to donate. The actor is now thriving and most recently played Aunt Hilda in 'Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.'
© Getty Images
14 / 30 Fotos
George Lopez - Comedian George Lopez suffered from kidney disease for years. He was told he needed a transplant when his organs had deteriorated so badly that they didn't show up on an ultrasound!
© Getty Images
15 / 30 Fotos
George Lopez
- His wife generously donated one of her kidneys to him and they started a foundation to raise awareness about kidney disease.
© Getty Images
16 / 30 Fotos
James Redford
- James Redford, son of Robert Redford and a well respected filmmaker in his own right, required two transplants in his life. His liver was seriously damaged by the disease ulcerative colitis and he underwent a transplant.
© Getty Images
17 / 30 Fotos
James Redford
- The surgery was botched and he received a second transplant just in time to save his life. He made a documentary called 'The Kindness of Strangers' exploring the people who give and receive these organ donations.
© Getty Images
18 / 30 Fotos
Evel Knievel - Legendary daredevil stuntman Evel Knievel is another celeb who needed a transplant. He suffered from hepatitis C which was destroying his liver.
© Getty Images
19 / 30 Fotos
Evel Knievel
- It's speculated that he contracted the disease from one of the many blood transfusions he required after his crash landings! He had a liver transplant in 1999.
© Getty Images
20 / 30 Fotos
Natalie Cole
- Singer Natalie Cole is the daughter of famous crooner Nat King Cole. She also suffered from hepatitis and her search for a kidney donation was widely publicized.
© Getty Images
21 / 30 Fotos
Natalie Cole
- Dozens of people emailed her to say that they'd be willing to do it. In the end, a fan of hers passed away and their family members asked that a kidney be donated directly to her.
© Getty Images
22 / 30 Fotos
Larry Hagman
- Larry Hagman played a devious oil tycoon on 'Dallas,' one of the longest-running TV shows in history.
© Getty Images
23 / 30 Fotos
Larry Hagman
- He was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver in the mid-'90s and was told he had six months to live. He ended up getting a liver transplant that saved his life and he lived to the age of 81.
© Getty Images
24 / 30 Fotos
Phil Lesh
- Phil Lesh was the bassist for the legendary band 'The Grateful Dead.' He had hepatitis C and in the '90s his liver had been irreparably damaged.
© Getty Images
25 / 30 Fotos
Phil Lesh
- He was lucky to receive a liver donation and he went on to become an outspoken advocate for organ donor programs. He would often speak to fans about becoming organ donors at concerts, and these sections of the recordings became known as the "donor rap."
© Getty Images
26 / 30 Fotos
David Crosby
- Rock fans will know David Crosby as the legendary guitarist who played with The Byrds, and Stills and Nash. He was another star who had a long history with hepatitis C, possibly stemming from his drug use.
© Getty Images
27 / 30 Fotos
David Crosby
- He had a highly publicized liver transplant as a result of his condition, which was famously paid for by Phil Collins. (Self) (Insider) (CNN) (Her Moments) (CNN) (Live For Live Music)
© Getty Images
28 / 30 Fotos
What next?
- Stars seem to have it all, but you never know what people are dealing with when the cameras aren't rolling. Find out which celebs actually suffer from rare diseases.
© Getty Images
29 / 30 Fotos
Celebrities you didn't know received organ donations
A surprising number of famous figures underwent this life-saving procedure
© Getty Images
Organ transplants are a miracle of modern medicine, saving lives every day. It's a serious procedure and it's shocking to discover that so many well-known celebrities have undergone it even while carrying on in the public eye. Many of them are seemingly young and healthy, and although they've spoken out about their experiences, from the outside you'd never guess what they've been through.
On the other end of the spectrum, some of the older rock n' roll generation developed diseases from their rough lifestyles that landed them on the organ donor waiting list, causing some controversy among the public. Click through the gallery to learn more about their stories.
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