Hundreds Attend Benefit For Shakopee Mother Battling Cancer

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Shakopee woman who is battling stage IV lung cancer got an overwhelming show of support Saturday evening.

A few hundred people came out to an area hotel, American Best Value Inn and Suites, to be part of a silent auction benefit for Dawn Temp, her husband and five children.

Dawn Temp, who is 49 years old and has never smoked, was diagnosed with late stage lung cancer last spring.

Since then, her family has paid $40,000 out of pocket to help her survive.

Dawn Temp's close friends Sandy Doherty and Stephanie Masloski spent the last few months asking for donations.

"Our job is to keep her spirits up," Doherty said.

The women raised $15,000 worth of auction items for hundreds of people in the community to bid on.

Dawn Temp has no history of cancer in her family.

Lung cancer mostly impacts the elderly and smokers.

Dawn Temp also had no known exposure to radon or other harmful environmental factors that can cause lung cancer.

Her lung cancer has spread quickly to her brain, bones and liver since last May.

As the disease spread, the Temp family's support system grew.

"It makes me wonder where the world would be without generosity, and it's amazing what people have done," Dawn Temp's older daughter, Alyson Temp said.

A lifelong athlete and active stay-at-home mom, Dawn Temp's husband, Jeff Temp, and five children ranging in age from 10 to 25 years old know she can't do all the things she used to for them.

"It is almost like we have two different moms in a way," Alyson Temp said. "I'm glad I got all the time I've had with her so far and that's about all I can ask."

Family and friends have stepped in wherever there was a need.

"The ultimate help would be a cure, but we know that just isn't possible, so they're doing what they can and it just means a whole lot to us," Jeff Temp said.

Dawn Temp is still getting treatment.

Lung cancer is the deadliest type of cancer worldwide.