Our society discusses the diversity of generations ad infinitum. However, some things just do not change from one generation to the next.
With each new set of wee little ones, we idealistically believe they will become more progressive thinkers than ourselves. We then feel helpless as we observe our future citizens emulate those behaviors we would prefer they shun.
One nasty habit many pass on to our young adults is cigarette smoking. In walk our June Extra Milers: Andrea Hannah, Regina DeCaro, Dana Nieman and Susan Gilmore. These women have no intention of silently watching our young adults take up this addiction.
They are each actively working with the Clark County Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Coalition to ensure our children — and adults — have the information and tools they need to make intelligent decisions about smoking and their health.
Susan, Dana, Regina and Andrea work tirelessly to get the facts out about the dangers of cigarette smoking and secondhand smoke. They do this, despite the negative responses they often receive while converting their passion into action.
A few weeks ago, I attended an event on the Star of Louisville which was organized by these Extra Milers. The event, Influence: Women’s Toxic Relationship with Tobacco, sponsored by the coalition, was well attended by a diverse group of women. Those attending learned about special campaigns by the tobacco companies focused on attracting our young women as new smokers. Come on … jewelry in cigarette cartons!
Andrea “Andi” Hannah, a retired registered nurse, is the coalition’s coordinator. The coalition is tasked as being the local source for tobacco education, cessation services, youth prevention and tobacco-free policy advocacy. When Andi was asked why she has taken on such a heavy task, she replied: “My passion for this work developed within this job, as I learned about the breadth of the impact of tobacco.”
Regina DeCaro, manager for the Clark Memorial Hospital Lois Kratz Wellness Center, assisted with the event, but has not always been a healthy woman. Regina had personal reasons for her involvement.
“I started smoking when I was a teenager, and was up to two to three packs a day at age 29 – and then I met Tony DeCaro.” Regina sighs, then quickly adds, “Realizing I wanted a long and happy life with Tony, I knew the cigarettes needed to go.”
Regina’s story has a happy ending. She quit smoking 17 years ago. She lost the cigarettes, but kept the man of her dreams.
Dana Nieman, program assistant for the coalition, was looking for a position that made a positive difference in lives and believes she found it.
Dana said, “By far, my favorite part of this job is helping people to quit tobacco.”
She believes most smokers would prefer to quit, however are often unsuccessful without assistance.
Dana explains, “Sometimes people need is a little reassurance they can succeed and some suggestions regarding how to make simple changes that give them more control over their addiction to nicotine.”
Susan Gilmore, marketing and public relations specialist for Clark Memorial Hospital also was directly involved in planning the Influence event.
“The evening was a great opportunity to educate women in our community on bringing about healthy smoking cessation and prevention changes in their spheres of influence,” she said.
The Influence event included several local women who were asked to discuss how cigarettes have affected their lives. Tammy Bratcher told the group she started smoking as a 9-year-old child. She and her husband, Kevin, attended smoking cessation classes organized by the coalition and both quit — forever.
At the end of the program, a young female server asked for information to stop smoking. She explained that she heard her own life story when Bratcher spoke, adding that she started smoking as a 10-year-old child. The event made an immediate impact.
I was also a speaker that night, reflecting on how cigarettes have affected my personal life. My beloved father passed away from lung cancer (a lifelong smoker); my mother, a nonsmoker who inhaled secondhand smoke most of her life, now has the early stages of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and Jeff, my 22-year-old son, is trying to quit — his efforts are making his mother proud.
As I spoke of the needless pain this habit has caused so many, I began to cry. Andi touched my shoulder and whispered, “Go on, it doesn’t matter — people need to see the pain.”
Andi, Dana, Regina and Susan — thank you for working to bring about value to so many lives and for being Southern Indiana Extra Milers.
Carol A. Dawson is a resident of Jeffersonville and owner of EEO GUIDANCE, Inc. If you have seen or been a part of an act of kindness or know an EXTRA MILER, please let her know about it. To submit a story or act of kindness, contact Carol via e-mail: Extra.Milers@newsandtribune.com or mail: THE EXTRA MILERS, The Evening News, 221 Spring St., Jeffersonville, IN, 47130-3340.
Extra Milers
Related Photos
Discussion
EXTRA MILER: Women helping Southern Indiana beat the habit
- Extra Milers
-
-
EXTRA MILER: Someone who cares a lot
Waiting backstage to surprise our Extra Miler, John Templeton (Cat in the Hat) and Ellie Delap (Gertrude) were feeling a bit nostalgic. Both are seniors at Jeffersonville High School and this was to be their final high school performance. Standing just behind them, Donna VanHook, our Extra Miler, was doing what she has done best for at least 9 years. She is tugging on a costume and pinning it in just the right places so that it fits properly.
-
The Extra Milers: Teaching by example
-
EXTRA MILER: The courage to say yes
-
EXTRA MILER: Sisters of the Heart
Both girls have been involved in volunteer activities for several years. Amber serves on the student council of her school and has volunteered several times in soup kitchens. Sophia loves to dance and has entertained in nursing homes on several occasions.
-
EXTRA MILER: Overcoming fear by facing it head-on
As a young girl, I was reluctant to learn how to ride a bicycle. I was torn between wanting the wind in my hair as I hit the open road with friends and the fear of falling with a splat to the pavement. My father quickly tired of the excuses and one day sat me on the bicycle and pushed the bike forward. I fell hard and as my windblown vision seemed to be shattered, my father said, “Get right back up on that horse and ride again … it will be easier this time.” He was right.
-
EXTRA MILER: A call to duty
I was talking recently with Mark Eddy, executive director for Leadership Southern Indiana, when the conversation turned to this column. Mark said he knew of a church full of Extra Milers. The church is the Northside Church of Christ in Jeffersonville and specifically, he mentioned two individuals he felt met and exceeded the standards set for Extra Milers. He named Michael Kidwell and Gale Dunlap.
-
Harkins has touched thousands with her generosity, concern for others
I am blessed with many best friends who have influenced my life; however, there has been one person who has influenced me the most and is the inspiration behind this column. Everything I know about loving my neighbor, I learned from Barbara Long Harkins (Barbie) … and she continues to provide inspiration to all who know her.
-
EXTRA MILER: Coloring Our World
Creative people tend to bring full color to an otherwise monochrome world. Our July Extra Miler, George Ellis, turns life’s dull and numbing neutrals into vibrant and joyful colors.
-
EXTRA MILER: Bringing Respect into our Schools
An enforcement officer recently spoke with me after sitting through a workplace harassment workshop. He spoke of his part-time job duties as a security officer at a local middle school and expressed a great concern for children who do not seem to fit in with the majority students. The officer said, “Every day I see cruel and hateful harassment from many of the students and my job is to step in if they become violent.”
-
EXTRA MILER: Be part of Southern Indiana’s week of kindness
Julie Schwerer, executive director of the Bliss House in Jeffersonville, is a bundle of energy with a contagious spirit. She can speak at warp speed when truly excited and last week she may have broken through the sound barrier as she spoke of an anonymous donation to the Bliss House.
- More Extra Milers Headlines
-
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
