In Times of Need, Northeast Pennsylvania comes to the aid of its own. In our regular column, we provide a platform for area residents facing a variety of obstacles to create awareness and connect them with much-needed help.
Who: John Trently, 66, and his younger brother Bill, 63, have always done everything together, ever since they were kids growing up in Scranton. Part of a large and rowdy Irish family (they were two of 11 kids of parents Edward and Helen), the Trentlys developed similar outgoing personalities and fostered a love for the music of the Rolling Stones and sports. While the South Side residents sometimes differ in opinion — John Trently loves the New York Jets,while Bill cheers for the Dallas Cowboys — they’ve remained close into adulthood, even as they grew their respective families. Now, the brothers share something else in common: cancer diagnoses that they received just two weeks apart. Bill Trently has multiple myeloma, a rare blood cancer that has no cure and requires chemo and stem-cell therapy, and John is fighting advanced prostate cancer with androgen deprivation therapy and, later, possibly surgery and radiation. Together with their loved ones — including Bill’s wife, Linda, and kids, Michelle and Billy, and John’s wife, Maureen, and their sons, John and Nolan — the Trently brothers face an uphill battle to defeat their diseases.
What: Donations are being accepted at GoFundMe.com or can be made payable to Together for the Trentlys and mailed to 99 Crane St., Scranton, PA 18505. Supporters have organized the benefit Together for the Trentlys, which will feature basket raffles with big-ticket items, 50/50 chances, food, drinks and entertainment. Admission costs $20 at the door. Advance tickets can be reserved through the Facebook event page or by calling Ann at 570-290-5518.
When: Saturday, Sept. 21, 4 to 8 p.m.
Where: St. Mary’s Center, 320 Mifflin Ave., Scranton
Why: Proceeds will be split among the brothers’ families to cover their extensive treatment, travel and lodging expenses as they head back and forth from New York for care.
In their own words: “I am overwhelmed with the outpouring of support from everyone. I can’t thank my community, family and friends enough for all their help during this difficult time.” — John Trently; “I’m so thankful for all the support my brother and I have received from Scranton, and other communities as well. Truly overwhelmed.” — Bill Trently
Submitted Photo Joyce Gyomory-Petrovsky
Update: Rock for the Rack, a benefit held Saturday for breast cancer patient Joyce Gyomory-Petrovsky, was nothing short of incredible as about 250 people turned out for the event, her daughter said. Petrovsky will complete chemo in October and undergo a mastectomy in November, but a recent ultrasound showed her treatments are being effective, and she credits early detection through self-exam with her positive outlook on beating her cancer.
Patrice Wilding is a 13-year employee of the Lifestyles Dept. at The Times-Tribune, where she worked her way up from a clerk to a web video producer to a full-time reporter, writer and copy editor. An Olyphant native, she graduated from Mid Valley Secondary Center and earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies with concentration in media arts, political science and communications from Wesley College, Dover, Delaware. She lives in Clarks Summit with her husband, Justin, and their son, Johnny. Contact: pwilding@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5369; @pwildingTT
