A Flood of Support for Dr. Lawson

In November 2010 beloved Unionville primary care physician Dr. John Lawson had to close his practice at 10 School St. as he underwent treatment for cancer, leaving his family without an income.

The community that he had cared for during his 20 years in practice immediately went into action to help support the family by establishing The Lawson Family Fund at Farmington Bank.

Saturday, a Dr. John Lawson Benefit Pasta Dinner and Auction was held at the , attracting a crowd of over 450. Three seatings, 4:00, 5:30 and 7:00 p.m., were needed to accommodate everyone. It also took many pans of ziti and sausage and rolls and salad and trays and trays of dessert to feed them all, as well as a band of volunteer servers. Throughout the dinners, the band Bookends entertained, also having donated time.

Benefit organizer Kathy Madden explained “First Church of Christ Unionville, where Dr. Lawson is a member, decided to have a pasta dinner fundraiser, but it immediately became apparent too many people wanted to come to have it at the church.”

Madden then asked Aspi Psaras, of George’s Restaurant in Unionville, if the event could be held there. Psaras, who had been a patient of Lawson’s replied “you can have anything you need.” As the number of people attending increased, it was decided to hold the event at the hall. George’s cooked and delivered dinner for 500. Olive Garden donated the salads and Stop & Shop donated beverages.

“Everyone we asked wanted to help,” Madden said. “We raised $6,000 from today’s event and 100 percent of it goes to the Lawson family.”

“Everyone wants to help Dr. Lawson because he helped everyone,” she added.

Former patient Lynelle DiMauro agreed.

“Dr. Lawson is a remarkable human being. He made every patient feel he cared about them as a person, and gave all kinds of advice. He really took peoples' financial concerns into consideration, so now everyone wants to give back to him,” she said.

Kathy Madden thanked all the sponsors, all who donated auction items, everyone who came out for the dinner, and the Lawsons for their impact on the community.

"Unionville is a small town, and John, you have sure lived up to the reputation of a small-town doctor in your concern and dedication to the community, from going to treat people in their own homes, tending to residents at nursing homes, to showing constant care and compassion for the people you have helped," she said. "My own family has been the beneficiary of your kindness on more than one occasion, including squeezing us in for a quick flu shot after church. Many of your patients give you credit for literally saving their lives.”

Lawson was also acknowledged for his strong presence at , as a member of the choir, for donating a stained glass window and the Christmas crèche and for comforting those in need.

“Perhaps most important you have been a role model for the children and an inspiration for all,” Madden concluded.

Lawson, in turn, thanked the community for all the support shown to him and to his family.  

“This is an amazingly supportive community, full of beautiful people, beautiful families, and beautiful churches. Nothing that I can say is as impressive as all of these people coming together,” said Dr. Lawson. “I have done what doctors are supposed to do in caring for the needy. No one should have to travel 50 miles, as I have seen patients lacking insurance do, to find a doctor with an open door.”

Anyone who wishes to contribute can make checks payable to The Lawson Family Fund at any branch of .