SamboraBlog

Good Medicine Dawn Davis meets Bon Jovi

SUMMERSIDE — Patient resting. Requesting no visitors at present time.
Unless you’re Jon Bon Jovi.
Dawn Davis wrote that little exception to the sign on her door at Prince County Hospital, where she’s in palliative care for cancer.
Though the lead singer of Bon Jovi hasn’t swung by, he’s now got a prominent spot there – in photos from their recent backstage meeting.
“Oh my gosh, he’s pretty,” Davis gushes.
Davis, 41, sits on her hospital bed with family doctor, Trina Stewart. Instead of discussing medical reports, they’re reliving a Bon Jovi rock concert like a pair of teens.
“We were treated like gold,” Stewart says.
Stewart and her husband, Dean, had casually chatted about travelling to see Bon Jovi. But when the doctor realized Davis was a huge fan (Stewart saw her sign), she arranged a trip to Toronto to catch their world tour. Stewart managed to get tickets and a backstage visit with the help of her sister’s friend, who works in the music industry, and the band’s generosity.
Davis and the Stewarts had 15 minutes with Jon, Richie Sambora, Tico Torres and David Bryan, who were full of hugs and warm greetings.
The ladies found Sambora particularly charming.
“Could stick him in my pocket and take him home,” Davis says with a glint in her eye.
“He’s bad to the bone,” Stewart adds, in a way that suggests that’s a good thing.
The band offered Davis photo ops and memorabilia. The Island group left Bon Jovi with some of Davis’ scenic Island photos – and an education on Canada’s smallest province.
Davis also gave Jon Bon Jovi a photo taken before cancer made her so ill.
“That was when she could really rock it out, before she lost her hair,” Stewart explained when Davis struggled to find the words.
The concert at the packed Air Canada Centre didn’t disappoint. At one point, Jon reached into the crowd and ended up touching Stewart’s hand. Davis was sitting down, so Stewart brought her hand forward. The lead singer recognized the group and – belting out “Bed of Roses”, – dropped to one knee, sang to Davis and kissed her hand.
What was that like?
“There are no words,” Davis admits.
The band supplied tickets and passes and Marriot Hotels provided a room for Davis. Friends of the Stewarts funded her trip; having a doctor along meant Davis could travel despite health issues.
The experience played the women out – and left them bigger fans of the band.
“I just sensed goodness in them,” Stewart says.
“Totally,” Dawn agrees.