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Monk Steve Grijalva, right, stands next to Kim Moore's hospital bed as she prepares to undergo surgery. Moore donated her kidney to Grijalva. Photo by: Courtesy to the Ledger Dispatch It was a life-or-death situation. Kim Moore of Ione said she followed that feeling tugging at her heart, so she stepped up to the plate. When she found out last year that her friend's husband needed a kidney transplant, the mother of two did not hesitate to get tested. After learning she was a perfect match, she forged ahead into months of further testing, research and lots of prayer. Moore had been friends with Lynn Grijalva for several years. They went to the same church - New Life Christian Center in Sutter Creek - and still do. "I told (Lynn) that I wouldn't mind getting tested to see if I was a match," Moore said, adding that Grijalva had already been tested, but due to medical issues, she wasn't able to donate her kidney to her husband, Steve Grijalva. "I continued to feel like I wanted to help," Moore said. Moore started filling out paperwork in July 2008, and after approval in November and finishing all the testing, she had the surgery in February. When asked what reactions from others were, Moore said they were mixed. Some people asked her what she would do down the line if one of her children needed a transplant. "But you can't live your life on 'what ifs.'" Moore said. "You can live your life with one kidney and be OK." Kim's husband, Perry Moore, and their 20-year-old son also offered to test. "Steve told our son, 'Thank you, but you're too young.'" When asked if the extensive testing process discouraged or worried her, Kim said she was just more worried the results would come back and they would tell her she couldn't do it. The Moores moved to Amador in 1992; Kim has worked as an administrative assistant for 11 years at the CAL FIRE Academy in Ione. Her colleagues at CAL FIRE were supportive during the entire process. One of the firefighters, in fact, referred to her as a hero, a term that Kim said she applies to her CAL FIRE colleagues. She and Perry discussed the issue with each other and their children before making any final decisions. They conducted extensive research as well. One of her big motivators, she said, was her faith. She just knew the entire time that this was God's plan, she said. And there was a continual peace. "I knew it was the right thing, There was a lot of joy." And three months after the surgery, she still feels the same. "There's such a great satisfaction knowing that you've given someone a length of life - a full life," Kim said. "I feel 100 percent different," Steve said. "My physical is excellent, my blood pressure is phenomenal - I just giggle every time I take it." He said he had faith before this ordeal, and called Kim's willingness and grace a blessing. "There was constant prayer throughout our congregation and our families," he said. Steve has polycystic kidney disease, an inherited disease which causes cysts to grow in the kidneys. Several of his family members have it, Lynn said. "His older brother died from it. It runs very strongly in his family. He's the only one in his family to have a living donor," she said, adding that kidneys from living donors last upwards of 30 years, compared to those from non-living donors, which last about 12 years. Because of other medical issues, dialysis most likely would have taken her husband's life, she said. Kim and Steve had their respective surgeries at the University of California, Davis Medical Center in Sacramento on Feb. 17. Steve, in fact, was able to visit with Kim before her surgery when she was in her hospital room. She went into surgery two hours before Steve. When Steve was out of surgery, Kim was able to see him. "As soon as they put it in, you could see color in his face. His blood pressure returned to normal," Kim said, adding that she was touched when his family and friends thanked her that day. "She's my best friend and my hero," said Linda Enos, a member of New Life Christian Center. "(Kim) was phenomenally open to doing this. I was surprised how open she was - she always had a smile on her face, even when she was in the hospital waiting for surgery." What's interesting, Kim said, is that Steve and Lynn had bought a house and had moved a week before the surgery. Their house is right next to Kim and Perry's. "I get to see my kidney every day," Kim joked. "It's just wonderful to see how everything's worked out. I get to see him be so active, so healthy, out there doing projects. Before he had no energy." Steve and Lynn are thrilled to live next door to Kim and Perry as well. "We were friends before, but now it's like we are so connected," Lynn said. "It's a pretty awesome thing." The peace she had for this was continual, Kim said. After all, Kim added, quoting John 15:13: "No greater love than this than a man lay his life down for his friend." "When you're living your life as a Christian, and if it's in your means to fill (a need), then fill it." Bethany A. Monk COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE No comments have been posted in the last 15 days! SEND US YOUR COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE * - Required fields Subject: * Message: * Contact Name: * Contact URL: Contact Email: * Write the text from image below to this textbox HOME | NEWS | SPORTS | LIFE | OPINION SPECIAL SECTION | SUBSCRIBER CENTER | BULLETIN | PHOTOS OUR PRIVACY POLICY Powered By: