A look into Bijou Phillips’ health struggles as she searches for a kidney donor

In February 2017, Bijou revealed that she needed a kidney transplant because she was born with “small kidneys”.

“[Bijou] has quietly been dealing with kidney disease for the past five years, including being on the transplant list,” a rep said at the time. “In an effort to heal her body, she has lived a stress-free life on a vegan diet, which ultimately wasn’t enough, and has been undergoing dialysis privately. She recently discovered that one of her friends is a match and is optimistic that she will receive a transplant soon.”

Nearly two months later, Bijou’s then-husband, Danny Masterson, confirmed that she had undergone a kidney transplant.

“My wife has been slowly dying from an incurable kidney disease for the past seven years,” says the… That 70’s show star wrote at the time. “She was given the gift of an encore from a great angel. Our daughter will have a mother. We do not take lightly how incredibly lucky we are. 100% successful transplant.”

Masterson added, “Now the real work begins for her to silence any chance of rejection. Our deepest gratitude to a perfect transplant team. And a life owed to a large drink of water. Sláinte!’

Meanwhile, Bijou wrote a lengthy statement on Instagram, saying she had “been waiting for this day for a long time.”

“Dialysis has been a blessing, but also extremely difficult. I have developed an infection and am on my second catheter. This is a major operation, FSGS is scary, but I am soooo grateful for my husband, my daughter and our family!” she continued.