Meet Dawn Lyons-Wood

Dawn is an amazing advocate for organ donation and her inspiration is her late daughter, Emily. Due to a tragic snowmobile accident, Emily became an organ, tissue, and cornea donor at the age of 19. She saved the lives of six people, gave sight to two others, and improved the lives of 60 people in 22 states. She is Dawn's inspiration to be a better person, make the most of every opportunity, and do her part in making the world a kinder place.

"After Emily's accident, my life took a completely different path," says Dawn. "It is now my life's mission to raise awareness for organ and tissue donation. I will spend every day promoting what I see as Em's final wish."

Dawn was born and raised in Sheboygan, but moved to Beaver Dam in 1995 with her family. She and her husband Michael have a beautiful blended family with seven children - Michela, Alexa, and Sally (all 22), Emmett (20), Kelly (18) and John (16). Emily was the oldest and would have been 24 years old.

Dawn is a Manager of Customer Service at Mittera Wisconsin, a multi-platform print, marketing and media company. She is a volunteer with the Lions Eye Back of Wisconsin, a transporter for the Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin, a certified volunteer with UW Organ and Tissue Donation, a member of the Beaver Dam Lions Club, and a public speaker at various events and drivers education classes raising awareness of organ and tissue donation.

Dawn is a big fan of Rod Stewart and also has a slight infatuation with Uncle Kracker. She has seen both in concert six times. Personally, she doesn't consider herself a singer. Dawn says, "My father told me I should sing tenor?.ten or twelve blocks away from him." But occasionally she does play a mean tambourine!

She loves road trips and traveling with family and friends. She enjoys listening to live music and singing in the car when she's alone. She also enjoys home décor and painting. She embraces just about every opportunity that comes her way and loves to laugh and spend time with people that make her do so!

She has associate degree from Madison University (formerly MATC) in Tourism and Recreation and is a Board Member for the Chamber of Commerce.

She wants her fans to know she is scared for the Spotlight on Life dance competition. She chose to jump out of a plane for her 50th birthday this past July and THIS event makes her more nervous! "With everything in my life, I am surrounded by love, the best support system, the most amazing family, friends, and co-workers ever," says Dawn. "And I have a very beautiful angel that will make sure that I embrace this opportunity and have a wonderful time."