Bijou Phillips has launched an urgent appeal to find a kidney donor

In a post on Instagram, she wrote: " I need help finding a kidney. I'm asking as a friend, a sister, an aunt, and most important, a single mother to an incredible and brave daughter.

"I was born with underdeveloped kidneys and spent the first three months of life in the NICU on dialysis. In 2017, I received the incredible gift of a kidney from a dear friend.

"That transplant gave me 8 precious years to be a mother to my daughter-but I have had many complications since, including the BK virus which led to both a cellular and antibody rejection."

She went on to add: "I am currently under care of Dr Anjay Rastogi at UCLA and back on dialysis. Please help me find a living donor so that I can have more time with my daughter, family, friends.

"Time is of the essence."

She posted the note on the social media platform with the caption: "Please read and share. and if you are interested in becoming a living donor, please go to the link in my bio and fill out a brief form. I am so grateful for your support."

At the time of her previous transplant in 2017, a representative for the actress explained the situation to PEOPLE, saying: "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.

"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.

"She recently found out one of her friends is a match and is optimistic that she will have a transplant soon."

Bijou is mother to daughter Fianna, 11, with her jailed ex-husband, That 70s Show star Danny Masterson.