Donations needed for Trevis family

STRUTHERS – The Trevis family has had more than their share of hard times, and now friends of the family are asking for the community’s help.

Debbie and Darin Trevis of Struthers are the parents of Brittany, Bryan and Brandon, all graduates of Struthers High School.

Debbie was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer after a self-examination in September revealed a lump. But the family’s troubles didn’t start there.

In 2000, the family learned that their son Brian had Friedreich’s ataxia, a recessive, life-shortening disease that causes progressive damage to the nervous system and requires constant care.

Debbie and Darin endured a parent’s worst nightmare in 2008 when they lost their other son, Brandon, to suicide.

In March 2011, Darin, who is employed by the Struthers Fire Department, suffered back surgery for two herniated discs, which could have left him paralyzed. It was left for Debbie to keep the family and household running during his recovery.

In March 2012, Debbie, a Help Hotline Crisis Center volunteer, had to undergo surgery to her rotator cuff, which left her out of commission until June.

Debbie’s cancer treatments have included hospitalization, chemotherapy and numerous reconstructive surgeries that have left the family in financial crisis.

Friends of the Trevis family, Andrea DeGennaro and Charlotte Labuda, together with A Way With Words Foundation, are sponsoring “Donations for Debbie” throughout the month of April.

To donate online, go to http://bit.ly/16tY0SW or e-mail Andrea DeGennaro at cudlynsft@aol.com for more information.