Bijou Phillips Seeks Kidney Donor After Transplant Complications

The 45-year-old actress is urgently pleading for a living kidney donor to save her life.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Bijou Phillips, a 45-year-old actress, is in urgent need of a kidney donor after facing complications from a previous kidney transplant in 2017. Phillips was born with underdeveloped kidneys and has been on dialysis for much of her life. She is currently under the care of doctors at UCLA Health and is asking her followers on social media to consider becoming a living donor to give her more time with her daughter and loved ones.

Why it matters

Kidney disease and failure are serious health issues that can have devastating impacts on a person's quality of life. Phillips' story highlights the ongoing need for organ donors, especially living donors, to help those suffering from kidney failure. Her public plea also raises awareness about the signs and causes of kidney disease, which often goes undetected until the later stages.

The details

Phillips was born with underdeveloped kidneys and spent the first three months of her life on dialysis. In 2017, she received a kidney transplant from a friend, which gave her 8 years of improved health. However, she has since faced complications, including the BK virus, which led to both cellular and antibody rejection of the transplanted kidney. She is now back on dialysis and in urgent need of a second kidney transplant.

  • Phillips was born with underdeveloped kidneys and spent the first three months of her life on dialysis.
  • In 2017, Phillips received a kidney transplant from a friend, which gave her 8 years of improved health.
  • Recently, Phillips has faced complications, including the BK virus, which led to rejection of the transplanted kidney.
  • Phillips is currently under the care of doctors at UCLA Health and is back on dialysis.

The players

Bijou Phillips

A 45-year-old actress who was born with underdeveloped kidneys and is currently in need of a second kidney transplant.

Dr. Anjay Rastogi

The doctor at UCLA Health who is currently overseeing Phillips' care and treatment.

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What they’re saying

“I'm asking as a friend, a sister, an aunt and most importantly, a single mother to an incredible and brave daughter. I am in need of a Kidney.”

— Bijou Phillips (Instagram)

What’s next

Phillips is urgently pleading with her followers on social media to consider becoming a living kidney donor to help save her life. She has provided a link for interested individuals to fill out a brief questionnaire to begin the donor screening process.

The takeaway

Bijou Phillips' story highlights the critical need for organ donors, especially living donors, to help those suffering from kidney failure. Her public plea raises awareness about the signs and causes of kidney disease, which often goes undetected until the later stages, and the importance of early detection and treatment.