Trina Justman: Defining “Adventure”

“I am two years post donation and living happier & healthier than I’ve ever been.” - Trina Justman

-Pictured left with kidney recipient, Jennifer Jacquot-DeVries, recently exploring California’s Redwood National Forest together.

When Trina Justman felt called to join the army after college, she was ready to commit.  When she felt called to move from WI to CA for a soul-filling job opportunity, her family supported the move. And when Trina saw a friend’s Facebook post stating, “This mama needs a type-O kidney,” she did not waiver. The calling to provide help, from one mom to another, was an easy one to make.

Many of us are familiar with the generous gift of organ donation after the tragic loss of a loved one. But Trina is active proof that organ donation can be incredibly life-giving and affirming for both parties involved. Trina never had “donate a kidney” on her bucket list. But years of donating blood taught her that her type-O body was able to be used to bring life to others. It is this life of service that moved her to act when her heart responded to the recipient’s posts online.

Once she started, Trina remembers, the process was surprisingly easy-to-follow. Her recipient had the necessary steps laid out so well that all of the fear of the unknown was removed. What started as an emotional tug at the heartstrings turned into very logical and doable steps to help another mom.  Trina pursued this idea on her own at first, researching the recipient’s genetic kidney disorder and learning that, according to her doctors, this woman would likely need to wait for a deceased donor. That wait, as many of us know, could be so long it would be too late. And the likelihood of a weakened immune system rejecting a donated organ later is greater than when the need first arises. According to organdonor.gov, the U.S. has over 100,000 patients needing an organ replacement. Of the 42,000 procedures that took place in 2022, only about 6,200 of those were from living donors. 

Jenni & Trina, moments before heading into surgeries.

Trina took the steps needed to see if she would be a viable candidate for the kidney replacement. Once she had the paperwork filled out and the preliminary tests came back as hopeful, she sat down with her family. She knew this was a decision that had to start with her heart’s motive first, but now that she knew it was even feasible, it was time to involve those closest to her. 

When I asked Trina what hurdles she had to overcome in this decision, she said there really weren’t any until she heard the initial concerns from her own children. As moms, we know we would do anything for our children in order to give them a better life. And as her kids (teenagers then) expressed their first questions and fears, the thought did pop into her head that maybe this was a selfish decision. Was she putting another mom & family ahead of her own?  This thought quickly dissipated as her own children soon agreed that she needed to follow through and help this other mom live her best life for her own family. Trina recalls, “Within the same conversation that night, everyone was on board.” Her family’s encouragement and support was exactly what she needed to confirm this was the right next move.

As women, we often may feel like we need to run our ideas by friends and tell many people what we’re thinking about doing. But Trina took a different approach. Once the first steps were taken, she brought in her family. However, Trina did not involve her outer circles until much later. We chatted in our interview about how often someone else’s fear can become our own when we’re in the decision-making process. All too often, someone else’s fear is injected into our own mind until we aren’t so sure we want to do the thing anymore. Trina remembered this exact feeling when she told friends she wanted to join the army after college was complete. They wondered why…was it the right time…was this what she wanted at this point of her life…what about her safety…what about her…what about…  “Their response slowed down my own process,” she remembers.  We all know this feeling well, don’t we?

But this decision now to donate a kidney, which 85% of all organ patients are waiting for, was resolute in her mind, and she did not open herself up to the fears and opinions of well-meaning friends. 

Trina teaches us that the process to become a living organ donor is well-laid out and contains less unknown fear than many of us would suspect. Once matched and approved for the procedure, there is an entire team of medical professionals committed to the organ donor - apart from the recipient’s team. According to resources such as donatelife.net and organdonor.gov, the recipient’s insurance covers this process and there is little to no financial investment needed for the donor. Resources abound that offer grants and financial support to help with living expenses during and after surgery, and the donation community rallies around donors to make the process seamless and impactful.  Priority is given to both organs, both bodies, both lives.

And LIFE is exactly what Trina is living now.  “I am two years post donation and living happier & healthier than I’ve ever been,” she says.  Trina mentions that as a young woman, she had always struggled with her body image, regardless of the number on the scale.  But now with new life in her and a new appreciation for what her body has been able to do, she says, “I’ve never realized what a blessing health was until I saw someone struggling for their own life in this way.”  This process has forced her to be incredibly aware of her intake of water, sodium, and stress.  She has a newfound appreciation for life and health and uses that outlook to help others find their best life as the current Director for Associate Well-being for Blue Zones in St. Helena, CA.

If you are considering the idea of living organ donation, or even just facing a tough decision about something your heart or body are calling you to do, Trina suggests, “Be planted in your decision.”  She reminds us to do research, explore ideas, and talk to medical specialists about your options.  But know that there is so much support around your decision and you will not be alone. “We have to listen to that voice that calls us and then just do it,” Trina says. The decision to save someone else’s life just might be the thing that moves your own.

Both beautiful lives meeting up last summer to see icon, Brandi Carlile, in concert!