Terrie's Story
In high school, Terrie was a pretty cheerleader who competed on the cheer circuit. Her father smoked, and with more and more of her friends smoking, Terrie soon found herself lighting up in social settings. Eventually she was smoking up to two packs a day.
In 2001, at the age of 40, Terrie was diagnosed with oral cancer, and later that same year, with throat cancer. Doctors informed her that they would need to remove her larynx. It was then that she quit smoking for good. Today, at 52, Terrie speaks with the aid of an artificial voice box that was inserted in her throat. She continues to battle cancer.
More About Terrie
Biography
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Social Media
- Facebook Q&A with Terrie - archived questions and answers from the chat with Terrie held on September 28, 2012 (look at the comments under the post by CDC Tobacco Free)
Terrie has cancer as a result of smoking. In last year's Tips From Former Smokers TV commercial, Terrie showed us how she got ready for her day. This year, Terrie shares that the only voice her grandson has ever heard is the one she now has because her voice box was removed before he was born. Her tip to smokers is to make a video or recording of yourself reading a children's storybook and singing a lullaby—before smoking affects your health.
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