Sarah Hyland, the actress globally recognised for playing Haley Dunphy on the hit sitcom Modern Family, has lived a life of remarkable resilience away from the cameras. While her on-screen character navigated comedic chaos, Hyland privately waged a serious and lifelong battle against a severe health condition from birth.
A Lifelong Medical Challenge
Sarah Hyland was born with a condition known as renal (kidney) dysplasia. This meant one or both of her kidneys did not develop normally while she was in her mother's womb. This congenital condition is permanent and progressive, inevitably leading to kidney failure. From her childhood through her rise to fame, Hyland managed this invisible illness while maintaining her demanding career.
Her health struggles intensified as she grew older. By the age of 21, her kidney function had deteriorated critically, making a transplant essential for her survival. She has openly shared that even during the peak filming years of Modern Family, she was in constant pain and battled extreme fatigue, sometimes falling asleep between takes. The exhaustion was so profound that she has no memory of filming certain scenes.
The Transplant Journey: A Father's Gift and a Brother's Sacrifice
In 2012, hope arrived when her father, actor Edward James Hyland, donated one of his kidneys to her in a life-saving surgery. This first transplant was a gift that offered her a new beginning. However, in a common complication of transplant procedures, her body's immune system eventually began to reject the donated kidney over the following years.
This rejection forced Hyland to start over. Her father's kidney failed, and she had to undergo dialysis treatment to stay alive while waiting for another match. Dialysis, a machine-based process that purifies blood, required her to commit to multiple sessions per week for an extended period, a gruelling routine for anyone, let alone a working actress.
Her second chance at a transplant came in 2017. This time, her younger brother, Ian Hyland, was found to be a compatible donor and gave her one of his kidneys. This second surgery was successful, significantly improving her quality of life and energy levels. Sarah refers to this kidney as her "third chance at life," noting that each transplant required her to rebuild her life from scratch.
Life After Transplants and Raising Awareness
Today, Sarah Hyland continues her career in Hollywood while managing life with a transplanted kidney and other health issues, including endometriosis. Her journey underscores a powerful message: individuals with kidney dysplasia and kidney failure can lead active, fulfilling lives. However, her story also highlights the years of medical care, physical exhaustion, and mental distress that come with chronic illness, struggles often invisible to outsiders.
Leveraging her platform, Hyland has become a vocal advocate for organ donation awareness, kidney disease education, and the critical need for mental health support for those with long-term medical conditions. She transforms her personal trials into a source of public understanding and inspiration.
