Family knows organ donation saves lives

SPENCERVILLE - Organ donation didn't just save Greg Dawson's life. It also saved the lives of his older brother, two uncles and a cousin. And it more than likely will save the life of other relatives in the future.

"We would not be here, without a question," he said of their prognosis without organ donors.

Dawson and at least five family members have Gardner's Syndrome, a rare hereditary disorder involving the colon. He and four relatives have each had multiple transplants, including the pancreas, small intestine, stomach, duodenum and bone marrow.

The family will again this year take part in tonight's Spencerville Summerfest Parade to promote organ donation. The tradition started in 2004. Dawson, who lives in New Bremen, grew up in Spencerville, where his mother still lives.

"Eighteen people die a day waiting on a transplant," he said. "It would be nice if nobody died. I know that is impossible, but at least get it down under 10."

Relatives believe Gardner's Syndrome in their family dates back to the early 1900s. Dawson's father, sister and great-aunt died of what is now believed to be Gardner's.

Tumors develop in the colon and then the lower part of the stomach. The polyps and tumors essentially "choke" the small intestine, Dawson said. They can also turn into cancer and be fatal.

Uncle Mike Dawson, of Harrod, underwent the first transplant of the family in 2000. Doctors found his first tumor in 1995. His brother, Phill Dawson, also of Harrod, has had a lung transplant, but his Gardner's isn't active.

After Mike Dawson's diagnosis, other family members began getting tested, including Greg and brother, Jeff Dawson, of Pennsylvania.

"If he hadn't done it (had transplant), I probably wouldn't have ever done it," Greg said. "Until it happened, I didn't want to be the first."

Greg would have died if he hadn't had his two transplant surgeries. The latest was in 2003. Their cousin, Elena Kennard, of Wapakoneta, had a transplant in 2005. Jeff Dawson tried to put off the 14-plus hour surgery as long as possible.

"I had run out of options," he said.

The future looks pretty good for the family, Greg said. A few years ago, the chance of survival was under 60 percent, he said.

"I was told (by doctors) that as a group we are the best they got," he said. "I don't think they have another family that has done this well for this long."

Donor information can be found at www.DonateLifeOhio.org.

Spencerville Summerfest

Today

9 a.m.: Garage sales open

8:30 a.m.: Canal Stop run

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Cruiser Car Club Car Show

1 p.m.: Corn hole tournaments

6:15 p.m.: Bicycle give-away

6:30 p.m.: Parade

10 p.m.: Fireworks

Sunday

2 to 4 p.m.: Garden Walk and Duck Race