Sarah Hyland and Kidney Disease
Sarah Hyland is an American actress known for roles in Modern Family and other projects. She was born with renal dysplasia, a condition that caused her kidneys to develop abnormally and function poorly over time. This chronic condition led to repeated health challenges and ultimately the need for a transplant.
Kidney Transplant Procedure and Donor
In 2012, Hyland received a living-donor kidney transplant from her father, actor Erik Heger. The surgery took place at a hospital in Los Angeles, where a healthy kidney from a compatible donor was surgically placed to replace her failing kidneys. According to the National Kidney Foundation, living-donor transplants can offer shorter wait times and better short-term outcomes compared with deceased-donor transplants. Learn more about living-donor kidney transplants.
Recovery, Health Management, and Advocacy
After the transplant, Hyland required ongoing medication to prevent organ rejection and regular medical monitoring. She has publicly discussed her health journey, including hospital visits and the physical demands of recovery. Her openness has helped raise awareness about organ donation and the realities of life with kidney disease.
