Latest News

Sarah Hyland Opens Up About Her Battle With Depression Following Failed Kidney Transplant

"When a family member gives you a second chance at life, and it fails, it almost feels like it’s your fault"

When it comes to her battle with kidney dysplasia Sarah Hyland has kept the truth about her illness private, until her most recent interview, where she revealed that she contemplated suicide following her first failed kidney transplant.

In a candid interview for Self, the 28-year-old explains that she underwent a second kidney transplant in 2017 after the kidney she had previously received had failed. 

Despite the doctors’ best efforts, her transplanted kidney had to be removed in May 2017 and she needed another kidney transplant. Her brother, who turned out to be a match, offered to donate his kidney, but the star had concerns about accepting it, considering how unsuccessful her first transplant had been with her father’s kidney.

“I was very depressed. When a family member gives you a second chance at life, and it fails, it almost feels like it’s your fault. It’s not. But it does,” Hyland said. “For a long time, I was contemplating suicide, because I didn’t want to fail my little brother like I failed my dad.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqIMX18F23Y/

For the Modern Family star, her boyfriend Wells Adams, who she started dating just days before the second transplant, has been a major source of support during the ordeal

“He’s seen me at my worst,” Hyland shared. “He was there through all of that. I think that’s why I feel the most beautiful in his eyes, because he still finds me beautiful after seeing all that.”

In September 2017, Sarah underwent her second Kidney transplant followed by a series of follow-up surgeries – she reveals she’s had 16 in total. 

Kidney dysplasia, sometimes called multicystic dysplastic kidney, is a condition that occurs in the womb when one or both of a baby’s kidneys don’t develop correctly

If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit Lifeline.

Related stories