News  Springfield District Probation Department employees support colleague in need of kidney transplant with #TEAMTRIGILIO

Springfield, MA — Pictured from left to right are Probation Officer Megan Burke, Associate Probation Officer Tara Parker, Chief Probation Officer Terence O'Neil, Probation Officer Christopher Trigilio, Probation Officer Cheryl Strong, and Associate Probation Officer Alyssa Graham. Not pictured are Probation Officer Carrie Mazza & Probation Officer Toland Gladden.

Christopher Trigilio, a Springfield District Probation Officer, was convalescing at home while awaiting a kidney, when he received a Get Well card with money raised by his colleagues who launched a fundraiser they dubbed “#TEAMTRIGILIO.” The ongoing fundraiser features #TEAMTRIGILIO wristbands which are being offered for a donation at the court.

Both Trigilio and his colleagues hope the campaign will also help to raise awareness about kidney disease so that he and others who are suffering with the disease will have a better chance of getting a kidney. A 2013 analysis conducted by the American Journal of Kidney Disease found that nearly six in ten Americans will develop kidney disease in their lifetime.

Trigilio, who has since returned to work at the court, is still awaiting a kidney. He said he appreciates his colleagues’ generosity and efforts to support him and his family which includes a wife and two children.

“When a person donates a kidney or blood during a blood drive, these aren’t the only things they are giving. They are giving a child back to their father. They are giving a wife back to her husband. They are giving a person their life back. Because a person should be concentrating on being alive and not having to concentrate on staying alive,” Trigilio said.

Trigilio’s Springfield District colleagues Tara Parker, Cheryl Strong, Megan Burke, Alyssa Graham, Carrie Mazza, and Toland Gladden launched the fundraiser.

In a group statement, the organizers commented on the #TEAMTRIGILIO effort, “Springfield District Court Probation is not an office of co-workers it is a family so when we heard of Chris’s situation it was not a question of IF we were going to do something, it was what we were going to do. We also knew that we would get the support of our extended family as in court officers, clerk’s office, and lawyers. We often acknowledge life events and milestones within the office whether pleasant or unpleasant. Many of us were aware that Chris often deals with some medical conditions though once we learned that his current situation had become life-threatening we wanted to stand behind him and his immediate family and ensure our support was felt.”

They added, “We also wanted Chris to be able to see the support that he had upon his return to the office from his work family through the visual of the bracelet.”

Springfield District Chief Probation Officer Terence O’Neil said of Trigilio, “Chris is the consummate team player. He's always willing to pitch in and help others as much as possible without complaint or hesitation. For our group to come together as they did in support of Chris and his family in this tough time, is really reflective of the attitude he brings to our office every day. We're all very hopeful that he will come through this as well as possible and we'll have him on board for many years to come.”

For those interested in a #TEAMTRIGILIO bracelet, contact Megan.Burke@jud.state.ma.us.