Kidney disease is an insidious disease that affects roughly More than 1 in 7 US adults. Oftentimes diagnoses can require patients to shift their lifestyles in order to accommodate kidney-friendly routines to prevent additional harm. However, battling kidney disease doesn’t condemn you to a bleak life. In fact, through today’s technologies and medications, many kidney patients are able to sustain a very healthy and normal way of life despite their diagnoses.
This week we’re taking a look at the experiences of two celebrities – Selena Gomez and Suni Lee – who have opened up about their struggles with kidney disease and their road to recovery. Keep reading for commentary from ANC’s Dr. Yang on the widespread impact of kidney disease on patients and ways to help mitigate adverse impacts in order to lead a fulfilling life.
Selena’s Story
Actor and Singer Selena Gomez first opened up about her Lupus diagnosis in 2015. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissues and organs. Her condition caused stress on her kidneys and, eventually, progressed to a stage that necessitated a kidney transplant. In 2017 she received the gift of a new kidney from a close friend and fellow colleague, Francia Raisa.
But her journey didn’t end there. Beyond sharing the physical adversities that came with her condition, Selena Gomez has also been vocal about the mental toll Lupus took on her. In conjunction with her beauty brand, Rare Beauty, Gomez took an issue that was close to her heart and launched a campaign advocating for mental health awareness among the youth to increase accessibility to mental health resources.
Suni’s Story
Famed athlete and Minnesota local, Suni Lee proudly represented the United States women’s gymnastics team in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games last summer. As for any Olympian, the road to victory is laden with training and conditioning. In Suni’s case, however, there was an additional hurdle.
In February 2023, Suni Lee was diagnosed with two forms of rare, incurable kidney conditions. Upon experiencing the first bout of symptoms, the young athlete left school to focus on her health. However, she remained determined in her pursuit of competing and qualifying at the Olympic trials.
Suni and team worked diligently to modify her training to accommodate her condition. The alterations held promise and she even began to see improvements at the start of 2024. Despite her relapse close to the 2024 Paris Olympic trials, Lee said her support systems and care team were an essential part of her eventual recovery.
Following her treatments, she was able to enter a state of remission that sustained her enough to carry on competing in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Suni Lee returned home a victor with three medals to support her impressive and inspirational comeback.
The Impact of Representation in the Media
When asked about the impact of kidney disease visibility in prompting conversations and awareness, Dr. Yang shared several insights. “For many,” he says, “it [kidney disease] is a very personal disease that runs through families. For others, it can be a sporadic disease that strikes out of the blue. Your kidneys, for better or worse, can take a lot of damage before you start to feel sick from kidney disease. Most kidney diseases, however, are treatable if we catch them at an early stage, especially with new advances in medications. I’ve met some people who hate going to their nephrologist because they don’t like “feeling sick”, but I hope for all patients to follow up with their doctors to hopefully treat their diseases early before they progress to an irreversible stage.”
Avoiding Isolation and Fostering Mental Well-Being
For many, chronic conditions like kidney disease can lead to broader health implications such as emotional or mental health challenges. Up to 1 in 8 patients with pre-dialysis CKD have depression and 1 in 4 patients on dialysis have depression. It can be incredibly helpful to let your nephrologist or any other healthcare professional on your care team know if you’re struggling with the mental health challenges related to kidney disease so that we can help connect you with appropriate resources.
Additionally, Dr. Yang shared the following pieces of advice:
“One thing that I think is often helpful is finding people who have traveled a similar journey. Two national resources that can help connect you with “kidney ambassadors” are the National Kidney Foundation and the American Kidney Fund. Otherwise, some people with depression find it helpful to see a therapist or start medications for mood stability if they feel overly overwhelmed by their kidney disease.”
If there’s one thing you take away from this week’s blog, we hope it is that you are not alone in your road to recovery! At ANC we’re dedicated to empowering patients with the long-term support and solutions necessary to live a complete and fulfilling life despite the hurdles that come with kidney disease.
