March 24, 2022

Trina and Dorian on their wedding day.

For better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do us part – are words from traditional wedding vows.  Trina Myers, a Customer Account specialist at Toledo Edison, has lived through the ups and downs of those vows with her husband, Dorian. Early in their marriage, Dorian was diagnosed with kidney failure and needed a transplant. Since he has no siblings, the search was on for a viable donor – which turned out to be Trina.

“I wasn’t a perfect match because we’re not related by blood, but it was a match that was desperately needed,” she said. “I was so thankful that I could do this for him.”

Unfortunately, with most young organ transplant recipients, the organ eventually begins to fail and a new one is needed. Twenty-plus years later, Trina and Dorian are now seeking another match.

“Dorian started to have health issues such as diabetes and high blood pressure, which is affecting his kidneys, so he’s on dialysis every day. Since last April, he’s had two strokes,” said Trina. “The good thing is our daughter, Cierra, is the same blood type as her dad – but she hasn’t been tested yet, so we are hoping she is a match.”

Trina said the goal now is to get Dorian healthy enough for the possible transplant procedure.

The Myers family, l.-r.: Dorian, Trina, Dorian Jr. and Cierra.

Still Giving

One of the things that has kept Trina going throughout this stressful time is her volunteer work.

“I’ve been volunteering in the community since I was in high school – and I love it. After having our children, I became involved in various activities for their school and athletic organizations,” she said. “A few years ago, I became the co-chair of Toledo Edison’s Harvest for Hunger campaign, where I learned a lot about the needs of the food pantries we served. As a result of these relationships, I was able to work with food pantries to organize opportunities for groups to volunteer all year round.”

In addition to her Harvest for Hunger work, Trina is passionate about two nonprofit organizations. She volunteers in a number of areas for the National Kidney Foundation and supports the Alzheimer’s Association by coordinating participation in the annual Memory Walk and supporting the organization’s fundraising gala.

“Of course, the National Kidney Foundation is extremely important to me and my family,” Trina said. “However, my volunteerism with the Alzheimer’s Association is in honor of my grandmother. She practically raised me, and we were very close.”

(L.) Volunteering at Bittersweet Farms in Whitehouse, Ohio, are (l. to r.): Matt Tussing, Customer Account specialist IV, Trina; Mark Dudley, analyst V; and Mike Hosier, director, Operations. (R.) Volunteering with Trina (far r.) for Sunshine Communities of NW Ohio’s Spooky Boardwalk are Wendy Burden, Customer Operations Section representative (l.) and Raquel Burden (Wendy’s daughter). The organization supports men, women and children with developmental disabilities, offering residential, vocational and clinical support.