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Driven to Quit Challenge to smokers Campaign runs for the month of March by Julie Slack Metroland West Media Health D R I V 23 | Thursday, January 23, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com "Connected to your Community" I N G I T H O M E Quitting smoking is known as one of the five biggest New Year's resolutions, but right about now, people often seem to struggle. With that in mind, the Canadian Cancer Society is encouraging smokers trying to kick the habit to register for the Driven to Quit Challenge. The challenge is a campaign intended to motivate adult Ontario tobacco users to quit smoking or using other forms of tobacco for the month of March. With the help of a support `buddy', they have a chance to win a grand prize of a car and other cash prizes. Registered support buddies are also eligible to win a prize. Monica Bennett, senior co-ordinator for the Central West Region Smokers' Helpline, a division of the Canadian Cancer Society, said with this being National Non-Smoking Week (Jan. 19-25), it's an ideal time to offer support and encouragement to those who are struggling with a smoking addiction. Bennett, who's also a spokesperson for the Driven to Quit Challenge, headquartered in Hamilton, said she has one piece of advice for those trying to quit: www.driventoquit.ca. Presented by McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a division of Johnson & Johnson Inc., the makers of Nicoderm and Nicorette, the challenge has been around since 2006. It has inspired more than 200,000 quit attempts, Bennett said. In 2012, 37,000 people signed up to quit, she said. Last year, there wasn't a challenge, but this year it's back and the society is pushing for even more people to sign up. "If you've quit and you're weeks into it, now is the time you really need that support," she said. And as far as the society's relationship with a large pharmaceutical company, Bennett said any support -- including that of nicotine replacement -- for someone who's trying to quit is good. "What we know is that the combination of nicotine replacement options, counselling and support -- those things together can beat the addiction." The Canadian Cancer Society provides support through the Smokers' Helpline, online, text messaging and a fully-accessible phone line. Smokers can find tips online including things such as: making a list of all the reasons you want to quit, setting a quit date and investigating quit methods. She encourages people who are interested to sign up online. Following the steps there, potential quitters can receive regular text messages about quitting smoking. Smokers can also text key words for additional help when they need it the most. "It's motivational and for people quitting, it's not just about willpower, it's about changing a lifestyle," Bennett added. "People need to dig deep to change that." Participants can customize when they want messages to arrive, or choose a regular time -- perhaps the same time when a common stress or trigger occurs that would start someone smoking again. She doesn't know how many people will register this year, but added "one less smoker is well worth it. It's the quality of life you gain back and we hear that from smokers again and again. "They talk about how much better they feel -- they can walk up a flight of stairs without being winded; the money they save, they go on a vacation. There's all kinds of benefits to quitting." Registration for the Driven to Quit Challenge is open until Feb. 28. To register or for more information, go to www.driventoquit.ca or phone the Smokers' Helpline at 1-877-5135333. Oakville Volkswagen General Manager Murray Clark, left, and Audi Centre Oakville General Manager Grant DeMarsh, present the Weins Canada annual donation for 2013, in the amount of $15,670 to the Oakville Hospital Foundation's Community Fundraising Officer Michelle Kerby, Tuesday. Weins Canada marked its 40th anniversary in 2013, as it celebrated being part of the community since 1973. The new Oakville hospital is anticipated to open in late 2015. | photo by Chantal Ayotte ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/ HaltonPhotog) Seniors in Halton Need You $ We Accept Insurance! MASSAGE (Reg. $80.) One Hour 49* · Massage (RMT) · Thermal Therapy · Chinese Herb Medicine · Acupuncture Experience the joy of making a difference in someone's life! 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