Selena Gomez takes to Insta to thank best friend for donating kidney

Selena Gomez (right) and her friend Francia Raisa (left). Photo: Selena Gomez INSTA

Pop star Selena Gomez took to Instagram on Thursday to share a heart-warming story about her struggle and a friendship that carried her through.

Gomez recently got a kidney transplant due to Lupus, a chronic inflammatory disease that occurs when the body's immune system starts attacking its own tissues and organs.

The 25-year-old pop star found herself at a loss of words to thank Francia Raisa – her friend who donated her kidney to Gomez.

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

"There aren't words to describe how I can possibly thank my beautiful friend Francia Raisa," she says in the post with a picture of herself and Raisa on hospital beds.

"She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me. I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much sis," Gomez wrote.

The star says her disease "continues to be very misunderstood but progress is being made."

The pop sensation, who recently released her music album, has fought the disease with incredible resolve. We wish you good health Selena!