It was held on July 16, 2025 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California. The Olympic gold medalist not only showed up to the star-studded affair but she won the award for Best Comeback Athlete.
This honor follows a long and arduous personal experience with two rare forms of kidney disease for Lee. In her acceptance speech she emotionally thanked Dr. Marcia Faustin. Since her diagnosis, Dr. Faustin has been a rock-solid advocate, fighting with her every step of the process.
“To Dr. Marcia Faustin, she’s actually here in the crowd with me today,” said Lee while acknowledging her significant contribution to her health journey.
At 22, Lee penned a personal essay, which was published in Women’s Health, in March of 2025. In it, she bravely opened up about her battle with kidney disease. She said that she never thought health problems could affect someone young and healthy as she was. Never in a million years had that thought entered her mind. Through this essay, she inspired all of us to reflect on the emotional toll living with a chronic illness takes.
One of the hardest parts about living with kidney disease is knowing that I will have it for my whole life, Lee noted. But it will never disappear and I’ve been coming to terms with the reality that I will never return to being the same Suni I was prior to all of this occurring. But kidney disease is manageable, particularly if you have a timely and correct diagnosis.
Dr. Marcia Faustin, family and sports medicine. As an assistant clinical professor at University of California, Davis, she has been fundamental to shaping Lee’s life and career. She was with the U.S. women’s gymnastics team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and will be there again for the 2024 Paris Olympiad. At the latter games, Lee showcased her remarkable resilience by winning a total of four medals: one gold, one silver, and two bronze.
Lee’s story is a testament, not just to her athletic talents, but to her boldness despite overwhelming circumstances. Her story strikes a chord with almost everyone. Overall, it paints an honest picture of the plight of living with chronic illness and pursuing your dreams, an extraordinary journey.
