Introducing Terri Renier, Age 50, Tucson AZ:

Terri Renier, age 50 of Tucson, Ariz. was a 30 year smoker and is now a proud lung cancer survivor. Terri grew up in a family of smokers and started smoking at age 12 after playing with her parents’ cigarettes. Her habit escalated in college. Terri quit smoking at age 19 when she got married and had children, but she continued to struggle over the years, making multiple quit attempts. When Terri and her husband divorced, she used smoking as a crutch to get her through it.

Terri experienced another difficult time when a close friend of hers died of cancer, and she promised him she would quit for good. She was able to stay smoke free for 13 years, but started smoking yet again. Every time Terri failed quitting, she thought she might never be able to quit for good, but she knew she had to quit for her four children and grandchildren.

In November 2008, Terri came down with a serious case of pneumonia and had a difficult time recovering. She was eventually admitted to the emergency room. In December, after multiple tests, the doctors diagnosed Terri with small cell adenocarcinoma of the left lung. In February 2009, Terri had the left upper lobe of her lung removed. She was cancer free and knew she was on the road to recovery after the surgery.

Terri admits that the road has been tough and filled with many challenges, but she is proud to be a survivor and to walk alongside others who are trying to quit. Terri is a competitive ballroom dancer and is happy to report that she will be competing in Phoenix in December.

Terri is involved in the American Lung Association’s Quitter in You campaign because she wants people who are trying to quit smoking to know that no matter what age you are, you can quit. She encourages people trying to quit to change their routine and channel the urge to smoke into positive actions like taking a walk, calling a friend or writing in a journal. She says that it’s okay to fail quitting and that you should keep going in order to eventually quit for good.

To get support for the quitter in you, go to quitterinyou.org or call 1-800-LungUSA.