In recognition of American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout
Kona Community Hospital will be hosting “It’s Time to Go Cold Turkey!” – a free smoking cessation seminar with guest speakers Pat Fleck from the Coalition of a Tobacco-Free Hawaii and Cecily Nago of the American Cancer Society. The educational seminar will take place Monday, November 21 from Noon to 1 p.m. at Kona Community Hospital’s Conference Room 2. They will provide resources and tips for those who would like to quit smoking during this Thanksgiving season, or for those who have loved ones that they would like to encourage to stop. They will also provide information about the dangers of second and third-hand smoke.
This seminar is in recognition of American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout scheduled for November 17. It is an event that takes place every third Thursday in November, right before Thanksgiving, spotlighting the health dangers of tobacco use and the importance of quitting smoking to improve individual health and promote better, safer communities.
From the Hawaii Cancer Facts and Figures 2010, it states that approximately 700 new cases of lung cancer are diagnosed every year in Hawaii. About 500 residents die from the disease. Lung cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed among men and third most common cancer among women. However, it is first in the number of cancer-related deaths among men and women, for all racial/ethnic groups combined. Lung cancer, caused primarily from smoking, leads to more deaths every year in Hawaii than do breast, prostate and colorectal cancers combined.
“As a person who stopped smoking several years ago, I know how difficult it is to take the first step,” commented Cecily Nago, American Cancer Society’s Community Health Initiatives Manager. “I hope that people will attend and know that there are people who want to help. It is not easy but it can be easier with others who have been there.”
According to the Department of Health’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Surveys 2009-2010, smoking, tobacco use, and exposure to tobacco smoke, are the leading cause of preventable illness and death in Hawaii and the United Sates. Each year 1200 people die from tobacco-related illnesses.
The entire community is invited to attend this free seminar, Monday, November 21, 2011 at Kona Community Hospital’s Conference Room 2 from Noon to 1 p.m. People who want to learn more about recent information about smoking and how it may affect you or a loved one are encouraged to attend. A “cold turkey” sandwich lunch will be provided or guests can bring their own lunch. Limited seating is available so please RSVP to 322-6960 or ebryant@hhsc.org.