October 4, 2007
Unsung Hero in Your Area

Photo by Jacqueline Hamiter Dawn Dotson and Frank Hamiter the day after surgery. Hugging hands since they could not reach other for a proper hug.

By Jacqueline Hamiter

Dawn Dotson is a very special young lady. When we told her about Dad’s kidney failure four years ago, she immediately stated that she would give him a kidney. As time expired, so did his kidneys and without a kidney transplant, he would be on dialysis for whatever years it could sustain him. In February, we told her about the situation and she said “YES, I have thought about it and discussed it with Orrin (her husband) and we agree that I shall give him a kidney.”

In March we started all the tests needed to get to the transplant. She was a match and then Frank and Dawn went on for five more months with one test after another. He passed with flying colors, even though he is 74 years of age.

On August 28, they both went under the knife—one to lose a kidney—one to gain one and another 15 to 20 years of life.

Neither of us can possibly express what this is going to mean to our lives together and with the family. All that can be said is that she is our hero and she has done a wonderful unselfish act of courage.