TRU

The 2008 campaign introduces the moving story of Reena, a 29-year-old single mother from Asheville, NC. Reena started smoking at 13, was diagnosed with throat cancer at 21, and had to have her voice box removed in order to survive. Reena’s powerful story is intended to wake people up to the reality that tobacco’s health effects can happen even at younger ages. In addition to agreeing to share her story through the TRU campaign, Reena currently works with SAVE (Survivors and Victims of Tobacco Empowerment) with the hope that her story will benefit others. Because of tobacco use, reading a story to her son will never be the same for Reena.

Reena silently shares her story about being diagnosed with cancer and losing her voice box.

Reena hopes she never has to call out a warning to her kids on the playground (they wouldn’t hear her); but Reena hopes teens will hear what she has to say about smoking.

Reena misses the sound of her own voice, but has to live with that (and other health effects of tobacco) every single day.

Reena discusses how she felt so invincible when she was younger, but the health consequences of smoking caught up with her very early. Reena hopes teens will realize that smoking can affect them anytime.