Bijou Phillips Publicly Asks for Kidney Donor Amid Health Battle

Bijou Phillips is publicly seeking a kidney donor as she faces renewed health challenges stemming from a chronic kidney disorder. The actress, known for her roles in films like Almost Famous and Bully, revealed her urgent need for a transplant via an emotional Instagram post on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

Phillips, 45, explained that she was born with underdeveloped kidneys and spent the first three months of her life in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) undergoing dialysis. She received a kidney transplant in 2017 from a friend, a gift that allowed her eight years of motherhood with her daughter, Fianna. However, complications, including BK virus, have led to the failure of that transplanted kidney and a return to dialysis.

“I need help finding a kidney,” Phillips wrote in her post, accompanied by photos of herself and her 11-year-old daughter. “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.”

The BK virus, as defined by the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, is a common virus typically managed by healthy immune systems. However, kidney transplant recipients, due to the immunosuppressant medications required to prevent organ rejection, are particularly vulnerable to reactivation of the virus, which can cause a range of symptoms including fever, seizures, and muscle fatigue.

Phillips is currently hospitalized at UCLA Health, under the care of Dr. Anjay Rastogi, and receiving dialysis while awaiting a living donor. She shared a link to a living donor form in her Instagram post, urging potential matches to come forward. “Please help me find a living donor so that I can have more time with my daughter, family, and friends. Time is of the essence,” she pleaded.

This latest health battle comes amidst a period of personal upheaval for Phillips. She filed for divorce from actor Danny Masterson in September 2023, shortly after Masterson was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for rape. The divorce proceedings have understandably added emotional strain to an already difficult situation.

The actress’s journey with kidney disease has been public for some time. In 2017, a representative for Phillips revealed she was privately undergoing dialysis and optimistic about receiving a transplant. Masterson publicly celebrated the successful transplant at the time, sharing a photo of the couple holding hands in hospital beds and expressing gratitude for the “gift of an encore” that would allow them to raise their daughter.

Phillips’ story resonates beyond the realm of celebrity. The need for organ donors is a critical public health issue, and her willingness to share her personal struggle may encourage others to consider becoming living donors. According to UCLA Health, the CORE Kidney program, where Phillips is receiving care, focuses on integrative medicine with an emphasis on prevention and education, providing support and advocacy for patients navigating kidney disease.

The daughter of musician John Phillips of The Mamas & The Papas and singer Geneviève Waïte, Phillips rose to prominence as a New York “it girl” in the 1990s before transitioning to a career in film. Her role in Cameron Crowe’s Almost Famous remains a defining moment in her career, showcasing her ability to portray complex and compelling characters.

Phillips’ friends and family have rallied around her, offering messages of support on social media. Paris Hilton and her sister Nicky Rothschild expressed their love and strength, highlighting the outpouring of concern from those close to the actress.

As Phillips continues to seek a donor, her story serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of health and the profound impact of organ donation. Those interested in learning more about becoming a living donor can find information through UCLA Health’s CORE Kidney program and other organ donation organizations.