A dream unfulfilled

Less than two weeks ago, Dawn Whitworth was on the verge of having a dream fulfilled.

Her suitcases and those of her two daughters, 9-year-old Savannah and 8-year-old Donna, were packed.

They were going to Florida, to Disney World and Universal Studios, courtesy of an organization called the Dream Foundation.

For the two little girls, it was a chance at an unforgettable experience with their mom. For Dawn, it was one last happy moment of life to share with her girls. The trip never took place.

On Oct. 18, the day before the Whitworths were set to leave, Dawn's body surrendered to her second bout with cancer.

Instead of riding in teacups and hugging furry cartoon characters, the two girls attended their mother's funeral. The Dream Foundation does not grant wishes after the recipient has passed away.

The whole situation was too much for nurse Lisa Brewington to absorb without taking some kind of action. Brewington was one of several health-care workers who cared for Dawn Whitworth, and together the nurses planned a way to grant Dawn's wish of sending her two girls to Florida.

From those plans came A Dollar for Dawn, an ongoing fund raiser to send the Whitworth girls and their father, Dwayne, to Disney World in December.

"We fell in love with Dawn and those little girls," Brewington said. "It broke our hearts that those little girls lost their mom and the trip to Disney World."

Sun Bank in Fredericktown opened an account for Dollar for Dawn donations. So far, about $1,000 has been raised, including the donation of an airline ticket.

"If every person just gives a dollar, we can help make this dream come true," Brewington said. "Every one can afford a dollar."

The fund raiser will run through the month of November. Money isn't the only form of donation Brewington is looking for. The group also needs help making with travel arrangements.

"This will be their first Christmas without their mom," Brewington said. "It would be so much easier if they were on their way to Disney World."

cmiller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128

Want to help?

What: A Dollar for Dawn fund raiser to send Fredericktown, Mo., cancer victim's two daughters to Disney World in December.

Where: Donations can be made to Sun Bank in Fredericktown, (573) 783-2265

When: The fund raiser will run through November.