Bijou Phillips finds possible kidney donor match

Actress Bijou Phillips is "optimistic" she will soon undergo a kidney transplant after finding a possible match for a donor.

The Raising Hope star was hospitalized in Santa Barbara, California on Wednesday (15Feb17), with her husband, actor Danny Masterson, by her side.

According to TMZ.com, she had been suffering from a serious blood infection, and was in need of a kidney transplant.

Her representative has since addressed the reports of her ill health in a statement issued to People.com.

"Bijou was born with small kidneys and has been quietly dealing with kidney disease for the last five years, including being on the transplant list," the rep writes.

The 36-year-old has adopted a healthy lifestyle in a bid to combat her ailing health, but it has not been enough and now she is hoping a new kidney will be heading her way shortly.

"In an effort to heal her body she has led a stress-free life with a vegan diet, which eventually wasn't enough and she's been privately having dialysis," the statement continues. "She recently found out one of her friends is a match and is optimistic that she will have a transplant soon."

Phillips married former That '70s Show star Masterson in 2011. The couple has a three-year-old daughter named Fianna Francis.