IN APRIL 2022, Bill and Julie Moore tied the knot, celebrating the union of their hearts as they embarked on the journey of marriage. Little did they know that their love would be tested in the most profound and unexpected way just three weeks later.
Bill had long battled kidney disease, a silent threat lurking in the background of their lives, and now, it had come to the forefront, manifesting as renal failure.
“We knew he had kidney disease, but we didn’t know how advanced it was,” Julie said. Bill found himself tethered to dialysis machines, enduring multiple surgeries to prepare for this life sustaining treatment.
Their world had been turned upside down, but their unwavering love remained a constant source of strength.
Despite his struggles, Bill was determined to shield his wife and children from testing for a potential kidney match. He couldn’t bear the thought of them going through the pain and uncertainty of the process, believing that Julie needed to focus on caring for him rather than embarking on her own medical journey.
“He didn’t want us going through that,” Julie said. “If I was his caregiver, how would I take care of him if I was recovering.” Little did he know that Julie had a different plan.
Julie’s love for Bill ran deeper than words could express. She couldn’t stand by and watch her husband suffer without taking action. In a remarkable act of love, she secretly went behind Bill’s back to get tested. What followed was a testament to the power of love and selflessness.
In May 2023, the phone call came, bringing news that would forever change their lives. Julie was not just a match; she was considered an exceptional match, a perfect match. It was a divine alignment of fate, a testament to the extraordinary bond they shared.
“Even though Bill didn’t want me to get tested, he was super excited about the news,” Julie said.
But their journey was far from over. Julie had to undergo testing at Vanderbilt to ensure her own health and readiness for the transplant surgery.
Fast forward to Sept. 14, 2023, a day etched in their hearts forever. The couple underwent the life saving surgery, an act of love that transcends all boundaries. Their shared experience was nothing short of awe-inspiring, a true statement of the depth of their love.
Today, Julie is fully recovered. Bill is expected to be fully healed by April and is back to work. Life is gradually returning to normal, but the scars of their surgeries serve as a strong reminder of their unwavering commitment to one another.
Her voice filled with gratitude, Julie reflects on their journey, saying, “Even though Bill didn’t want me to get tested, he was super glad I went through with it. I wasn’t sure if he would, you know, because, like I said, he really didn’t want me to have to go through that.” Bill echoes her sentiment, emphasizing how their love story was guided by a higher power
“Bill has said the same thing; he can look back and see how God had a hand in this from the beginning, you know. So it’s just — everything just kind of lined up to fall right into place when it was supposed to,” Julie explained.
Julie’s decision to get tested without Bill’s knowledge was driven by a deep love. She recalled, “I didn’t think twice about getting tested to see if I was a match. When he first told me no, I didn’t. And then one day I was just sitting thinking about how dialysis takes up so much time. We would
work all day and then spend three to four hours in the evening doing it five days a week,” Julie said.
She thought she was just wasting precious time if she was a match and wasn’t getting tested. However, she had a good feeling all along. “I had told the girls I work with that I’m going to be a match,” she said. “I just somehow knew I would be a match.” Julie’s health was a crucial factor; fortunately, she was in excellent shape for the surgery.
“Luckily, I’m very healthy. There wasn’t really anything that held me back at all because all my tests came back really good,” she explained. Julie’s unwavering support for organ donation is evident. She emphasized, “I’m a hundred percent for getting tested for organ donation. It’s easy.”
Julie encourages anyone to get tested to see if they are a match to become a life-saving donor like she was. “I think the concern for a lot of people is the financial side of it, but all of that is paid for by the recipient’s insurance,” she said. “There was no out-of-pocket for me.”
Though challenging, Bill and Julie’s journey brought them closer together, as Julie concluded, “It’s wonderful knowing that you’re doing something for somebody. This was just kind of like something bigger. It just made me feel good that I could do that for him.”
In the face of adversity, Bill and Julie Moore’s love shines as a beacon of hope and inspiration, reminding us all of the incredible power of love, sacrifice, and selflessness. Their story serves as a reminder that true love knows no bounds and is willing to go to extraordinary lengths to protect and cherish the ones we hold closest to our hearts. GN
