The demonstration was held outside the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on July 16, 2025. The event was a fitting occasion for Lee as she was awarded winning her category of Best Comeback Athlete. At only 22 years of age, Lee’s trajectory has already been incredible, even more so considering how stressed her body has been, especially with her recent health struggles.
During her acceptance speech, Lee delivered an emotional, personal reflection. She used the moment to give a shoutout to her personal and family physician, Dr. Marcia Faustin. Dr. Faustin was instrumental in Dr. Lee’s support after she was diagnosed with two rare kidney diseases. This recognition was not just a testament to Lee’s resilience, but to the important role that medical support played in helping him prevail over adversity.
“Thank you for guiding me through the toughest moments, reading every scan and report by my side,” Lee expressed during her speech, emphasizing the invaluable support she received from Dr. Faustin throughout her health struggles.
In March 2025, Lee wrote a personal essay for Women’s Health. She articulated beautifully her story with kidney disease and the events that influenced it. She candidly discussed the impact of the diagnosis on her life and career, stating, “Before I got sick, I didn’t really know anything about kidney disease other than that it was a serious illness. It never occurred to me that it could happen to someone my age or someone as healthy and fit as I was.”
Lee’s health complications didn’t stop her from winning historic accomplishments in the sport of gymnastics. During the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, she won a total of one gold medal, one silver and two bronze medals. This win only added to her already mind-blowing tally from previous Olympic competition. Dr. Faustin joined the U.S. women’s gymnastics team at the Tokyo and Paris Olympic Games, offering critical medical care and guidance in high-pressure environments.
Lee has had to contend with the reality of living with chronic kidney disease. She admits that, of all things, the most difficult part was realizing that the disease would be a lifelong hurdle. “The kidney disease will never go away, and I will never be the same Suni Lee I was before everything happened,” she noted.
