You would never expect it, but the very funny Sarah Hyland of Modern Family has been battling a serious medical condition all of her life. In an interview with Seventeen magazine, the 21-year-old revealed she was diagnosed with kidney dysplasia when she was a child, and just received a life-saving kidney transplant from her father!
She opens up about her condition in the revealing interview, and says the experience has taught her a lot about the value of family and loved ones, and of course, life!
“You know that family is always going to be there for you—no matter what. My dad gave me a freakin’ kidney! But its also the families that you create outside of your family. And you really find out what kind of people you’re friends with. It was just amazing, and it really opened my eyes to see who’s there for me and who’s not.”
Sarah also credits her boyfriend, Matt Prokop, for helping her get through it. She says:
“He helps me with my medication and takes me to doctor appointments and all the stuff that I need to do to take care of myself. Any other 21-year-old guy would not be there, I guarantee it. I am one of the luckiest people in the world to have him be there for me.”
But most importantly, she’s grateful for a second chance. “I have a second chance at life, not a lot of people get that,” she told the magazine.
For the full interview, pick up the June/July issue of Seventeen, on newsstands May 22nd!
