Bijou Phillips Kidney Donor Search 2026: Actress Urgently Needs Transplant as 1,000+ Volunteers Apply

Actress Bijou Phillips is fighting for her life from a hospital bed at UCLA Health, making an urgent public plea for a kidney donor that has captured the attention of thousands worldwide. The 45-year-old star, known for her roles in “Almost Famous” and “Raising Hope,” revealed on February 11, 2026, that she desperately needs a second kidney transplant after her 2017 transplant failed due to severe complications.

Phillips was born with underdeveloped kidneys and spent the first three months of life in the NICU on dialysis. Rolling Stone Despite receiving what she called “the incredible gift of a kidney from a dear friend” in 2017, complications including the BK virus have led to both cellular and antibody rejection, forcing her back onto dialysis while she searches for a compatible living donor.

In this comprehensive article, you’ll learn everything about Bijou Phillips’ current medical crisis, her lifelong battle with kidney disease, the overwhelming public response that has generated over 1,000 potential donors, and how you can help save her life. We’ll also explore the critical details about living kidney donation, transplant rejection, and why this single mother is racing against time to spend more precious years with her 11-year-old daughter.

Quick Answer: Bijou Phillips Kidney Donor Situation

What’s Happening with Bijou Phillips?

Current Status: Hospitalized at UCLA Health on dialysis, urgently seeking living kidney donor
Medical History: Born with underdeveloped kidneys; received first transplant in 2017 that has now failed
Complications: BK virus infection causing cellular and antibody rejection
Blood Type: B negative (can accept B+, B-, O+, O- donors)
Public Response: Over 1,000 people have volunteered, but no match found yet
Motivation: Single mother fighting for more time with her daughter Fianna, age 11
How to Help: Complete donor form linked in her Instagram bio (@bijouphillips)

Bijou Phillips’ Urgent Hospital Plea
Her Lifelong Battle with Kidney Disease
Why the 2017 Transplant Failed: Understanding BK Virus
The Overwhelming Response: 1,000+ Donors Apply
Who Can Donate a Kidney to Bijou Phillips?
Bijou’s Personal Story: Life as Danny Masterson’s Ex-Wife
Understanding Living Kidney Donation
Celebrity Support and Family Involvement
How You Can Help Bijou Phillips
FAQ About Bijou Phillips Kidney Donor Search

Bijou Phillips’ Urgent Hospital Plea: “Time Is of the Essence”

On February 11, 2026, Bijou Phillips shared a heartbreaking message from her hospital bed at UCLA Health that immediately went viral across social media platforms. The actress posted a photo and detailed explanation on Instagram, revealing the severity of her medical crisis to her followers.

“I need help finding a kidney,” Phillips wrote in her emotional post. “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.”

Current Medical Condition

A representative for Phillips confirmed that she is currently under care at UCLA Health, where she is back on dialysis as she waits to find a living donor. TMZ The actress is being treated by Dr. Anjay Rastogi at CORE Kidney, a specialized patient advocacy and support program at UCLA Health that focuses on integrative medicine with emphasis on prevention and education.

According to sources close to the situation, Phillips is alert and able to communicate, but there are good hours and bad hours, with dialysis taking a serious toll on her body. TMZ When she’s especially sick, she requires extensive rest periods between treatments.

Why This Is So Urgent

Phillips’ medical team has emphasized that “time is of the essence” in finding a suitable donor. The actress has been living with failed kidney function for an undisclosed period, relying entirely on dialysis to filter her blood—a temporary solution that cannot sustain long-term health.

Phillips stated that the previous transplant gave her eight precious years to be a mother to her daughter, but she has had many complications since. Rolling Stone Now, she’s racing against time to find another donor who can give her more years with her family.

Bijou Phillips hospital Instagram post screenshot

The Emotional Appeal

What makes Phillips’ plea particularly poignant is her emphasis on motherhood. The actress wrote: “Please help me find a living donor so that I can have more time with my daughter, family, and friends.” Rolling Stone

This maternal motivation has resonated deeply with thousands of people who have stepped forward to offer help, creating an unprecedented outpouring of support for the Hollywood actress.

Bijou Phillips’ Lifelong Battle with Kidney Disease

Understanding Bijou Phillips’ current crisis requires looking back at her entire medical journey—a battle that began the moment she was born.

Born with Underdeveloped Kidneys

Phillips was born with underdeveloped kidneys and spent the first three months of life in the NICU on dialysis. Rolling Stone This congenital condition, also known as renal hypoplasia or kidney dysplasia, meant that her kidneys never fully developed the normal number of functional units (nephrons) needed to adequately filter blood and produce urine.

For most people, this condition would have required lifelong medical management and likely early transplantation. However, Phillips managed to survive into adulthood, building a successful career in entertainment despite her ongoing health challenges.

Life Before the First Transplant

According to reports from 2017, when Phillips first publicly discussed needing a kidney transplant, she had been on the transplant waiting list for approximately five years. During that time, she adopted radical lifestyle changes to preserve her remaining kidney function.

A representative stated at the time that Phillips had been following a strict vegan diet and living a stress-free lifestyle in an attempt to heal her body. However, these measures eventually proved insufficient, and she required private dialysis treatments before finding a donor.

The 2017 Transplant: Eight Precious Years

In 2017, Bijou Phillips received her first kidney transplant from a friend who proved to be a compatible donor. This generous act gave the actress eight years of relative health—years she describes as “precious” time spent being a mother to her daughter, who was just three years old at the time.

The transplant allowed Phillips to resume a more normal life, free from the exhausting routine of regular dialysis treatments. She was able to work, care for her daughter, and enjoy activities that would have been impossible while dependent on dialysis.

Progressive Complications

Unfortunately, kidney transplant recipients face ongoing challenges, and Phillips was no exception. Even with a functioning transplant, she experienced numerous medical complications over the eight-year period, ultimately leading to the current crisis.

The most significant complication was the BK virus, which we’ll explore in detail in the next section.

Why the 2017 Transplant Failed: Understanding BK Virus and Rejection

The failure of Bijou Phillips’ 2017 kidney transplant highlights the complex challenges facing transplant recipients and the serious risk of rejection that exists even years after a successful surgery.

What Is BK Virus?

BK virus, also called polyomavirus, is a common virus that is frequently contracted in childhood and is latent in a wide range of people. ABC News Most people carry this virus without ever experiencing symptoms, as healthy immune systems keep it suppressed.

However, the virus can be reactivated after a kidney transplant, particularly in people with weakened immunity, and can lead to kidney dysfunction. ABC News

How BK Virus Affected Phillips’ Transplant

Phillips’ representative revealed that she suffered many complications since the first transplant, including the BK virus, which led to both cellular and antibody rejection. TMZ

This is a particularly devastating scenario for transplant recipients:

Cellular Rejection: This occurs when the recipient’s T-cells (a type of white blood cell) attack the transplanted kidney, recognizing it as foreign tissue. The immune system essentially tries to destroy the new organ.

Antibody Rejection: Also called antibody-mediated rejection, this happens when the recipient’s immune system produces antibodies against the donor kidney’s proteins, causing inflammation and damage to the organ’s blood vessels.

The BK Virus Connection: The immunosuppressive medications that transplant recipients must take to prevent rejection also weaken the immune system’s ability to control the BK virus. When BK virus reactivates, it can directly damage kidney cells while simultaneously triggering rejection responses.

Symptoms and Progression

Symptoms of BK virus infection can include changes in vision, changes in color of urine, pain or difficulty urinating or more frequent urinating, trouble breathing, fever, and muscle pain, among others. ABC News

For Phillips, these complications became progressively worse over time, eventually causing complete kidney failure despite medical interventions.

Why Rejection Happens Years Later

Many people assume that if a transplant survives the first year, it will last indefinitely. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Late rejection can occur many years after transplantation due to:

Chronic immunological processes
Viral reactivation (like BK virus)
Medication non-compliance or changes
Development of donor-specific antibodies over time
Recurrence of the original kidney disease

Phillips’ case demonstrates why transplant recipients require lifelong medical monitoring and why finding the right donor match is so critical.

The Overwhelming Response: Over 1,000 Kidney Donors Apply

The public’s reaction to Bijou Phillips’ kidney donor plea has been nothing short of extraordinary, demonstrating the power of social media to mobilize life-saving action.

Thousands Step Forward

Sources with direct knowledge revealed that over 1,000 potential donors came forward Wednesday after news broke that Bijou urgently needs a second kidney transplant. TMZ

This massive response occurred within just 24 hours of Phillips posting her plea on Instagram, as news spread rapidly across entertainment media and social platforms. People from across the United States and potentially around the world completed the Google Form linked in her Instagram bio, hoping to be the match that could save her life.

But No Match Found Yet

Despite this incredible outpouring of generosity, doctors haven’t found a match yet. TMZ This sobering reality highlights the complexity of kidney matching and why medical professionals continue urging more people to get tested.

The actress has B negative blood type, which creates specific compatibility requirements that limit the pool of potential donors even among those willing to help.

Why So Many People Want to Help

Several factors have contributed to the massive donor response:

Celebrity Influence: Phillips’ status as a known actress with connections to high-profile entertainment figures has amplified her message far beyond what an average person might achieve.

Maternal Appeal: Her emphasis on being a single mother fighting for more time with her young daughter has resonated emotionally with parents and compassionate individuals worldwide.

Social Media Virality: The Instagram post was shared extensively by friends, celebrities, and strangers, creating exponential reach.

Simple Application Process: Phillips provided a straightforward Google Form requiring just basic information and taking less than 15 seconds to complete, lowering the barrier to initial interest.

The Medical Reality of Finding a Match

While having 1,000 potential donors sounds promising, the actual matching process is incredibly complex and involves multiple compatibility factors beyond just blood type:

Blood Type Compatibility: Must match specific requirements
Tissue Typing (HLA Matching): Six major proteins must be evaluated
Crossmatch Testing: Ensures recipient’s antibodies won’t attack donor kidney
Overall Health Assessment: Donor must be in excellent health with normal kidney function
Size and Anatomical Compatibility: Kidneys must be appropriately sized

Even with 1,000 volunteers, finding someone who meets all these criteria represents a significant medical challenge.

Family and Friends Already Tested

According to sources, those close to Phillips, including friends and family members, have gone through the process of determining if they’re a match and able to donate, but they were all incompatible with the 45-year-old. The Mercury News

This disappointing outcome forced Phillips to make her public plea, expanding the search beyond her immediate circle to find a compatible donor among strangers willing to make an extraordinary sacrifice.

Who Can Donate a Kidney to Bijou Phillips?

Understanding the specific requirements for donating a kidney to Bijou Phillips can help potential donors determine if they should apply and what to expect from the screening process.

Blood Type Requirements

Bijou’s blood type is B negative, and she needs donors with B negative, B positive, O negative or O positive blood. TMZ

Here’s what this means:

Compatible Blood Types:

B Negative: Perfect match (rarest, only 2% of population)
B Positive: Compatible (approximately 9% of population)
O Negative: Universal donor (approximately 7% of population)
O Positive: Compatible (approximately 38% of population)

Incompatible Blood Types:

A Negative
A Positive
AB Negative
AB Positive

If you have one of the compatible blood types, you meet the first requirement for donating to Phillips.

General Donor Requirements

Beyond blood type, living kidney donors must meet several health and logistical criteria:

Age Requirements:

Typically between 18-70 years old
Some programs accept donors outside this range with special consideration

Physical Health Requirements:

No diabetes or poorly controlled high blood pressure
No active cancer or history of certain cancers
No kidney disease or reduced kidney function
Healthy BMI (typically under 35)
No serious heart or lung disease
No active infections including HIV, hepatitis

Mental Health and Lifestyle:

Psychologically stable and able to provide informed consent
Non-smoker or willing to quit before donation
No active substance abuse
Understanding of risks and recovery process

Logistical Requirements:

Ability to travel to UCLA Health in Los Angeles for evaluation and surgery
Time available for recovery (typically 4-6 weeks off work)
Adequate support system for post-surgery care

The Screening Process

If you complete the initial Google Form and are selected for further evaluation, expect a comprehensive screening process:

Phase 1: Initial Medical Screening

Blood type verification
Basic health questionnaire
Review of medical history

Phase 2: Advanced Medical Testing

Blood tests (complete metabolic panel, kidney function, tissue typing)
Urine tests
Imaging studies (CT scan or MRI of kidneys)
Cardiac evaluation
Cancer screening

Phase 3: Immunological Testing

HLA (tissue) typing
Crossmatch testing
Antibody screening

Phase 4: Psychosocial Evaluation

Meeting with transplant social worker
Psychological assessment
Financial counseling
Discussion of recovery and long-term considerations

Phase 5: Final Approval

Independent donor advocate review
Transplant committee approval
Surgical scheduling

This entire process can take several weeks to months, though urgent cases like Phillips’ may be expedited.

Financial Considerations

Many potential donors worry about the cost of donation. Key financial points:

Recipient’s insurance covers: All donor testing, surgery, and immediate post-operative care
Donors may need to cover: Travel expenses, lodging, lost wages during recovery
Tax deductions: Medical expenses related to donation may be tax-deductible
National Living Donor Assistance Center: Provides financial assistance for travel and lodging for qualified donors

Risks of Living Kidney Donation

Potential donors should understand the risks involved:

Short-term Risks:

Surgical complications (bleeding, infection, blood clots)
Pain and discomfort during recovery
Reaction to anesthesia
0.03% mortality risk

Long-term Considerations:

Living with one kidney (generally safe for healthy donors)
Slightly increased risk of high blood pressure or protein in urine
Need for regular health monitoring
Possible impact on life insurance rates

Pregnancy Considerations: Women who donate kidneys can typically have safe pregnancies afterward, though they require closer monitoring.

Bijou Phillips’ Personal Story: Single Motherhood and Life After Danny Masterson

Understanding the personal context of Bijou Phillips’ medical crisis adds depth to her urgent plea, particularly her emphasis on being a single mother fighting for more time with her daughter.

Daughter Fianna: The Motivation to Fight

Phillips shares an 11-year-old daughter named Fianna Francis with her ex-husband Danny Masterson. Throughout her hospital stay and public plea, Phillips has consistently emphasized her role as a mother as the primary reason she’s fighting for a second chance at life.

Sources confirm that her daughter Fianna has been spending time with her mom at the hospital, and when Fianna isn’t at the hospital, Phillips is being cared for by family members and a close family friend.

The actress received her first transplant in 2017 when Fianna was just three years old. Phillips described that transplant as giving her eight precious years to be a mother to her daughter. Rolling Stone Now, with Fianna at a critical pre-teen age, Phillips is desperate for more time to continue raising her daughter through adolescence and into adulthood.

The Danny Masterson Connection

Bijou Phillips’ personal life has been dramatically affected by her relationship with former “That ’70s Show” actor Danny Masterson, who is currently serving a lengthy prison sentence.

The Marriage: Phillips and Masterson married in 2011 after dating for several years. They appeared to be a stable Hollywood couple and welcomed daughter Fianna in 2014.

The Rape Conviction: In May 2023, Masterson was found guilty of raping two women in the early 2000s. He was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison in September 2023.

The Divorce: In September 2023, Phillips filed for divorce from Danny Masterson, two weeks after the “That ’70s Show” actor was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison after being found guilty on two counts of forcible rape.

Custody Arrangement: Phillips has full custody of their daughter. Court documents indicate that she requested and received sole legal and physical custody of Fianna following Masterson’s conviction.

Single Motherhood During Medical Crisis

The timing of Phillips’ medical crisis is particularly challenging given her recent divorce and the trauma of her ex-husband’s conviction and imprisonment. She is now facing the most serious health challenge of her life while simultaneously:

Raising an 11-year-old daughter as a single parent
Dealing with the public scrutiny surrounding her ex-husband’s crimes
Managing the emotional impact on her daughter of having a father in prison
Navigating the financial and logistical complexities of single parenterhood

This context makes her repeated emphasis on fighting for “more time with my daughter” especially poignant and urgent.

Career and Identity Beyond the Headlines

While recent years have been dominated by her medical struggles and her connection to Masterson’s legal troubles, it’s important to remember Bijou Phillips’ own career accomplishments:

Acting Career:

Debuted in “Black and White” (1999)
Appeared in “Almost Famous” (2000)
Starred in controversial films like “Bully” (2001)
Featured in “The Door in the Floor” (2004), “Havoc” (2005), “Hostel: Part II” (2007)
Television roles including “Raising Hope” (2010-2014)

Music Career:

Released album “I’d Rather Eat Glass” (1999)
Pursued music alongside acting in early career

Modeling:

Appeared in major fashion campaigns as a teenager
Modeled for Calvin Klein, Playboy, and Italian Vogue

Family Legacy: Phillips is the daughter of troubled former Mamas & the Papas singer-songwriter John Phillips, who died in 2001, and her half-siblings include former actor Mackenzie Phillips and ex-Wilson Phillips singer Chynna Phillips.

Understanding Living Kidney Donation: What Potential Donors Should Know

For those considering donating a kidney to Bijou Phillips or anyone else, understanding the donation process, recovery, and long-term implications is essential for making an informed decision.

How Living Kidney Donation Works

Living kidney donation is possible because humans are born with two kidneys but can live healthy lives with just one. The donated kidney is surgically removed from the donor and transplanted into the recipient, typically within hours of removal.

Why Living Donors Are Preferred:

Better long-term outcomes compared to deceased donor kidneys
Can be scheduled electively rather than emergency transplant
Shorter wait time for recipients
Donor kidney begins functioning immediately in most cases
Better tissue matching typically possible

The Surgery: What to Expect

Donor Surgery (Nephrectomy):

Duration: Typically 2-3 hours
Approach: Most commonly laparoscopic (minimally invasive) rather than open surgery
Hospital Stay: Usually 2-3 days
Incisions: Several small incisions (laparoscopic) or one larger incision (open surgery)
Recovery Time: 4-6 weeks before returning to normal activities; longer for physically demanding jobs

Recipient Surgery:

The donated kidney is placed in the lower abdomen
Recipient’s original diseased kidneys usually remain in place
Surgery typically takes 3-4 hours
Hospital stay of 5-7 days is common

Recovery Process for Donors

Immediate Post-Surgery (Days 1-7):

Pain management with prescription medications
Gradual increase in activity
Monitoring for complications
Dietary guidelines
Follow-up appointments

Short-Term Recovery (Weeks 2-6):

Gradual return to normal activities
No heavy lifting (typically nothing over 10 pounds initially)
Fatigue is common
Some donors return to desk jobs after 2-3 weeks
Full recovery for physical labor takes longer

Long-Term Follow-Up:

Annual health checks recommended
Blood pressure monitoring
Kidney function testing
Urine protein screening

Living with One Kidney

The vast majority of kidney donors live normal, healthy lives with their remaining kidney:

What You Can Do:

Exercise and maintain physical fitness
Have children (with normal pregnancies for women)
Work in any profession
Travel and live normally
Maintain normal diet (with adequate hydration)

Precautions:

Avoid contact sports with high injury risk to the remaining kidney
Stay well-hydrated
Monitor blood pressure
Maintain healthy weight
Avoid nephrotoxic substances when possible
Inform all healthcare providers about donation history

Success Rates and Outcomes

Living kidney donation has excellent outcomes:

Donor Safety: 99.97% of donors survive the surgery
Long-Term Donor Health: Life expectancy similar to general population
Recipient Success: 95-98% kidney function at one year; 80-85% at five years for living donor transplants
Quality of Life: Both donors and recipients typically report high satisfaction and quality of life

Ethical Considerations

Informed Consent: All donors must provide informed consent, understanding all risks and benefits without coercion.

Independent Advocacy: Transplant programs require independent donor advocates to ensure donors aren’t being pressured.

Anonymity Options: Some programs allow anonymous donation, though many donors and recipients prefer to know each other.

Financial Neutrality: Donors should never be paid for their organs (which is illegal), but they shouldn’t suffer financially either.

Alternative Options: Paired Donation

If someone wants to donate to Phillips but isn’t a compatible match, paired kidney donation programs might help:

Incompatible donor-recipient pairs are matched with other incompatible pairs
Kidneys are “swapped” so each recipient gets a compatible kidney
Allows willing donors to help their intended recipient indirectly
Increases the overall pool of transplants

Celebrity Support and Family Involvement in Bijou’s Fight

The entertainment community and Phillips’ famous family members have rallied around her during this medical crisis, using their platforms to amplify her plea for a kidney donor.

Celebrity Friends Show Support

A number of celebrity friends offered Phillips support online, with Kathy Hilton leading the family and sending “prayers, love and light.”

Kimberley Stewart wrote, “Love you so much,” while Ashley Benson noted, “We are all supporting you and you are not alone.”

Fashion designer Stacey Bendet wrote, “Bijou! We are all here for you and love you so much!!!! Sharing this now!!!!”

These public shows of support from well-connected celebrities have helped spread Phillips’ message far beyond her own follower base, contributing to the thousand-plus donor responses.

Family Members at Her Bedside

Her loved ones are by her side, with her half-sisters — singer Chynna Phillips and actress Mackenzie Phillips — visiting.

Chynna Phillips: Best known as a member of the pop group Wilson Phillips (“Hold On,” “Release Me”), Chynna has been a supportive presence despite the complicated family dynamics of the Phillips family.

Mackenzie Phillips: An actress known for “One Day at a Time” and “American Graffiti,” Mackenzie has had her own well-documented struggles but has reportedly been present for her half-sister during this crisis.

Both sisters share the same father—the late John Phillips of The Mamas & the Papas—though they had different mothers. The Phillips family has a complicated history, making the sisters’ united support of Bijou particularly meaningful.

The Power of Celebrity Amplification

Phillips’ celebrity status has both advantages and potential drawbacks in her donor search:

Advantages:

Massive reach and visibility for her plea
Media coverage generating awareness
Ability to mobilize thousands quickly
Resources for best medical care at UCLA
Supportive community rallying around her

Potential Challenges:

Public scrutiny of her personal life
Connection to Danny Masterson bringing negative attention
Pressure and stress of public health battle
Managing expectations with so much attention

UCLA Health and Dr. Anjay Rastogi

Phillips is receiving care from Dr. Anjay Rastogi at the CORE Kidney program at UCLA Health, one of the premier kidney care centers in the United States.

The CORE Kidney program at UCLA Health is described as “a patient advocacy and support program based on our founding principles of clinical excellence, outreach, research and education.”

Dr. Rastogi specializes in kidney disease management and transplantation, providing Phillips with expert care during this critical time. The fact that she’s at a leading medical center increases her chances of finding a compatible donor through their extensive network and resources.

How You Can Help Bijou Phillips Find a Kidney Donor

If you’re moved by Bijou Phillips’ story and want to help, there are several concrete steps you can take—even if you’re not able to donate yourself.

Step 1: Complete the Donor Form

Phillips has made it simple for potential donors to express interest:

Visit her Instagram: @bijouphillips
Click the link in her bio: This leads to a Google Form
Fill out basic information: The form takes approximately 15 seconds and asks for:
- Your name
- Contact information
- Blood type (if known)
- Age
- General health information
- Any chronic health conditions

Phillips stated: “It will only take 15 seconds and can save a life.”

Step 2: Determine Your Blood Type

If you don’t know your blood type, find out through:

Your primary care physician
Blood donation centers (they’ll tell you when you donate)
Home blood typing kits available online
Many pharmacies offer blood typing services

Remember: Phillips needs donors with B negative, B positive, O negative or O positive blood.

Step 3: Share Her Story

Even if you can’t donate, you can help by:

Sharing on social media: Repost her Instagram plea or share news articles
Talking to friends and family: Someone in your network might be a match
Posting in community groups: Local Facebook groups, neighborhood forums, religious communities
Workplace announcements: Many companies allow health-related notices

The goal is to reach as many compatible potential donors as possible, increasing the odds of finding the right match.

Step 4: Consider General Organ Donation

While considering Phillips’ specific case, think about:

Becoming a registered organ donor: Sign up through your state registry
Living donation to anyone in need: The National Kidney Registry can match you with recipients
Paired donation programs: Your willingness to donate could start a chain helping multiple people

Step 5: Donate to Kidney Disease Organizations

If you want to help the broader cause of kidney disease and transplantation:

National Kidney Foundation: Research, education, and patient support
National Living Donor Assistance Center: Financial help for donors’ travel and expenses
American Kidney Fund: Financial assistance for dialysis patients and transplant recipients
PKD Foundation: Supports polycystic kidney disease research

Step 6: Educate Yourself and Others

Learn about kidney disease and transplantation
Understand the myths and facts about living donation
Combat misconceptions that prevent people from donating
Share accurate information about the safety and process of donation

What Happens After You Apply

If you complete the donor form and have a compatible blood type, you may be contacted by UCLA Health’s transplant coordinator for:

Initial phone screening
Blood tests and basic health evaluation
Advanced testing if initial results are promising
Face-to-face evaluation at UCLA
Final matching and approval process

This process protects both donors and recipients by ensuring only safe, compatible matches proceed to transplantation.

Important Reminders

No pressure: You can withdraw at any point in the process without explanation
Confidentiality: Your health information is protected
Independent advocacy: You’ll have an advocate separate from the transplant team
No cost to you: The recipient’s insurance covers all testing and surgery
Informed decision: You’ll receive comprehensive education before making final commitment

Frequently Asked Questions About Bijou Phillips Kidney Donor Search

Q: What is Bijou Phillips’ current condition?

A: Bijou Phillips is currently hospitalized at UCLA Health on dialysis while searching for a living kidney donor. She is in stable but fragile condition under the care of Dr. Anjay Rastogi at the CORE Kidney program. Her medical team has emphasized that time is of the essence in finding a compatible donor.

Q: Why does Bijou Phillips need a second kidney transplant?

A: Phillips received her first kidney transplant in 2017, but complications including the BK virus led to both cellular and antibody rejection of that kidney. The transplant ultimately failed, forcing her back onto dialysis and making a second transplant necessary for her survival.

Q: What blood type does Bijou Phillips have and who can donate?

A: Bijou Phillips has B negative blood. She can receive kidney donations from people with B negative, B positive, O negative, or O positive blood types. Together, these compatible types represent approximately 56% of the U.S. population.

Q: How many people have volunteered to donate?

A: Over 1,000 people came forward within the first 24-48 hours after Phillips made her public plea on February 11, 2026. However, despite this overwhelming response, doctors have not yet found a compatible match, and more potential donors are still being encouraged to apply.

Q: Why hasn’t a match been found yet with so many volunteers?

A: Finding a compatible kidney donor requires much more than blood type compatibility. Medical teams must evaluate tissue typing (HLA matching), crossmatch testing, overall health status, kidney function, and anatomical compatibility. Even with 1,000 volunteers, finding someone who meets all criteria is challenging, especially for someone who has had previous transplant rejection.

Q: Who is Bijou Phillips’ daughter and why is she so important to this story?

A: Bijou Phillips has an 11-year-old daughter named Fianna Francis with her ex-husband Danny Masterson. Phillips repeatedly emphasizes her role as a single mother as her primary motivation for fighting for a second transplant, wanting more time to raise her daughter. Fianna has been visiting her mother in the hospital during this crisis.

Q: What happened with Danny Masterson and how does it relate to this situation?

A: Danny Masterson, Phillips’ ex-husband and Fianna’s father, is currently serving 30 years to life in prison after being convicted in 2023 of raping two women. Phillips filed for divorce two weeks after his sentencing and now has full custody of their daughter. This means she is navigating this medical crisis while raising her daughter alone as a single mother.

Q: What is the BK virus and how did it affect Phillips’ transplant?

A: BK virus (polyomavirus) is a common virus that many people carry harmlessly. However, it can reactivate in transplant patients whose immune systems are suppressed by anti-rejection medications. In Phillips’ case, the BK virus led to both cellular and antibody rejection, ultimately causing her transplanted kidney to fail.

Q: How can I help if I want to donate a kidney to Bijou Phillips?

A: Visit Bijou Phillips’ Instagram profile (@bijouphillips) and click the link in her bio to access a Google Form for potential donors. The form takes about 15 seconds to complete and collects basic information including your name, contact details, blood type, age, and general health information. If you’re a potential match, UCLA Health will contact you for further evaluation.

Q: Do I need to be her blood type to help?

A: While having a compatible blood type (B+, B-, O+, or O-) is necessary to donate directly to Phillips, you can help in other ways: share her story on social media, encourage others to consider donation, donate to kidney disease organizations, or register as a general organ donor to help others in need.

Q: What are the risks of living kidney donation?

A: Living kidney donation is generally safe, with a 99.97% survival rate. Short-term risks include surgical complications like infection or bleeding. Long-term, donors live healthy lives with one kidney, though they need regular health monitoring. Most donors report high satisfaction and experience no significant health problems.

Q: Will donating a kidney affect my ability to have children?

A: For women, kidney donation does not prevent pregnancy. Women who donate kidneys can have safe pregnancies afterward, though they may require closer monitoring. Men’s fertility is not affected by donation.

Q: How long is the recovery time after donating a kidney?

A: Most donors stay in the hospital 2-3 days after surgery. Full recovery typically takes 4-6 weeks, with many people returning to desk jobs after 2-3 weeks. Physically demanding jobs may require 6-8 weeks of recovery. Long-term, donors resume completely normal activities.

Q: Does insurance cover kidney donation expenses?

A: The recipient’s insurance covers all medical expenses related to donation testing, surgery, and immediate post-operative care. However, donors may need to cover travel expenses, lodging, and lost wages during recovery. Some assistance programs help with these costs.

Q: What is UCLA’s CORE Kidney program?

A: CORE Kidney at UCLA Health is a specialized patient advocacy and support program that focuses on clinical excellence, outreach, research, and education in kidney care. It uses integrative medicine with emphasis on prevention and education to provide comprehensive kidney disease treatment and transplant services.

Q: Can family members donate if they already tested incompatible?

A: While Phillips’ close friends and family members have already been tested and found incompatible for direct donation, they could potentially participate in paired kidney exchange programs. These programs match incompatible donor-recipient pairs with other pairs, allowing the willing donors to help their intended recipients indirectly.

Q: Why is this transplant considered urgent?

A: Phillips’ medical team has stated that “time is of the essence.” Dialysis is only a temporary solution and cannot sustain long-term health. The longer someone remains on dialysis, the greater the risk of complications including heart disease, infection, malnutrition, and diminished quality of life. Finding a donor quickly improves transplant success rates and overall outcomes.

Conclusion: Hope and Urgency in Bijou Phillips’ Fight for Life

Bijou Phillips’ urgent plea for a kidney donor represents far more than a celebrity health crisis—it’s a deeply human story of a mother fighting for more time with her daughter, a patient battling a lifelong disease, and a community coming together to try to save a life.

The Key Facts:

Phillips is hospitalized at UCLA Health on dialysis, urgently seeking a living kidney donor
She has B negative blood and can accept donors with B+, B-, O+, or O- blood types
Over 1,000 people have volunteered, but no compatible match has been found yet
Complications from the BK virus caused her 2017 transplant to fail after eight years
As a single mother to 11-year-old Fianna, she’s fighting for more time with her daughter

What This Story Teaches Us:

The overwhelming response to Phillips’ plea—with over 1,000 volunteers stepping forward within hours—demonstrates the profound generosity that exists when people are given the opportunity to help. Yet the fact that no match has been found despite this massive response reveals the complex medical realities of kidney transplantation and the critical ongoing need for organ donors.

Despite the remarkable response, doctors have not found a compatible donor, and more individuals are still being encouraged to join the donor list due to the severity of her condition.

The Broader Impact:

Phillips’ public battle is raising awareness about:

The critical shortage of organ donors in America
The safety and feasibility of living kidney donation
The challenges facing transplant recipients even after successful surgeries
The devastating impact of kidney disease on patients and families

How You Can Make a Difference:

Even if you cannot donate to Bijou Phillips specifically, her story might inspire you to:

Register as an organ donor in your state
Consider becoming a living kidney donor for someone in need
Share information about organ donation with your community
Support organizations working to address the organ shortage
Learn about and advocate for kidney disease research and treatment

The Race Against Time Continues:

As of February 2026, Bijou Phillips remains hospitalized, undergoing regular dialysis treatments while her medical team continues screening potential donors. Every day without a suitable match is another day she depends on dialysis—a temporary solution that cannot sustain the quality of life she deserves and needs to raise her daughter.

If you have a compatible blood type, are in good health, and are moved by her story, consider completing the donor form on her Instagram profile. That simple 15-second action could literally save a life and give a young girl more years with her mother.

For those following Bijou’s journey, updates can be found on her Instagram (@bijouphillips) and through major entertainment news outlets.

The search for Bijou Phillips’ kidney donor continues. In the meantime, her story serves as a powerful reminder of our shared humanity and the extraordinary gift that organ donation represents—the gift of life, time, and hope.