tigerhonaker
05-16-2006, 07:45 PM
News Canada
Woman trades smokes for Civic:
By SAGAL ALI, TORONTO SUN
Kicking a 20-year smoking habit has not only given Lynn Marchand her health back, but has also won her a new car.
The 45-year-old, whose previous car died four days ago, won a 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid in the Canadian Cancer Society's annual Drive to Quit Challenge yesterday.
Ontario smokers were asked to quit for a month, with the hopes of staying smoke-free for life.
"Someone I know died of cancer. I decided I was going to quit and the challenge kept jumping out at me. It was everywhere, so I decided to do it," said the Cornwall resident who had been smoking about half a pack of cigarettes a day.
More than 26,000 others took the challenge, making it the most successful year since the challenge began in 2000.
Contestants registered in March and had to be smoke-free for all of April. Winners were drawn earlier this month and had to do a urine test to prove they hadn't smoked.
Marchand and seven runners-up, who got 32-inch flat-screen televisions, were honoured at a presentation in Toronto's distillery district.
"Winning the car is a plus. But, my health is the most important thing to me. I'm breathing better and have more energy," Marchand said.
Although staying smoke-free isn't a requirement to keep the car, Marchand said she won't be lighting up again.
"This is it. I'm very proud of myself and will stay smoke-free."
http://torontosun.com/News/Canada/2006/05/16/1582105-sun.html
Woman trades smokes for Civic:
By SAGAL ALI, TORONTO SUN
Kicking a 20-year smoking habit has not only given Lynn Marchand her health back, but has also won her a new car.
The 45-year-old, whose previous car died four days ago, won a 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid in the Canadian Cancer Society's annual Drive to Quit Challenge yesterday.
Ontario smokers were asked to quit for a month, with the hopes of staying smoke-free for life.
"Someone I know died of cancer. I decided I was going to quit and the challenge kept jumping out at me. It was everywhere, so I decided to do it," said the Cornwall resident who had been smoking about half a pack of cigarettes a day.
More than 26,000 others took the challenge, making it the most successful year since the challenge began in 2000.
Contestants registered in March and had to be smoke-free for all of April. Winners were drawn earlier this month and had to do a urine test to prove they hadn't smoked.
Marchand and seven runners-up, who got 32-inch flat-screen televisions, were honoured at a presentation in Toronto's distillery district.
"Winning the car is a plus. But, my health is the most important thing to me. I'm breathing better and have more energy," Marchand said.
Although staying smoke-free isn't a requirement to keep the car, Marchand said she won't be lighting up again.
"This is it. I'm very proud of myself and will stay smoke-free."
http://torontosun.com/News/Canada/2006/05/16/1582105-sun.html