TRU

Teens from the Orange County TRU group celebrate Earth Day by doing a "Cigarette Butts Pick Up" at a local high school. TRU groups like this one are spreading the word that tobacco not only harms health, but tobacco trash is also damaging to the environment. (And it's nasty... EW!)

Teens from the Vance County TRU Group explain the dangers of smoking to a local group of elementary students. TRU groups throughout the state are working to encourage others to spread the message and make a difference.

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

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 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.

Jessica is a senior in Raleigh and serves as her high school's Student Body President over 2,000 students. For the past four years, she's held multiple leadership positions and participated in many extracurricular activities including chorus, cheerleading and other academic societies. Jessica will graduate in May of 2008. She plans to attend college and major in Journalism.

As a senior at Northampton County High School–West in Gaston, NC, Roshana Ashe likes to stay active. She plans to major in biology at UNC-Chapel Hill in the fall. Roshana is not about to let smoking get in the way of her goals and things she likes to do (like being on the move with her friends)! Roshana loves life, taking pictures, and going places, and it’s no secret that she is proud to be tobacco free!

Rachel B., a seventh-grader at Swansboro Middle School in Hubert, NC, knows how important it is to stay tobacco-free. Her performance in two of her favorite activities - cheerleading and belly dancing – would really suffer if she smoked. Rachel loves hanging out with friends, and she wants to make sure that no one close to her ever starts smoking. Three cheers (and one hip bump) for Rachel!

Caleb B. is a junior at Mountain Heritage High School in Burnsville, NC. Caleb feels that choosing to stay tobacco free is one of the best decisions of his life. As a leading member of the 4H Club, he’s doing what he can to make sure the youth in his community make the same choice. Caleb was proud to be there for his friend who quit tobacco. Describing himself as “ambitious” (yes, he wants to be president one day), Caleb still knows how to have fun – look for him as DJ at the next Burnsville dance!

Jacody G. is a sophomore at Northampton County High School–West in Gaston, NC. He may be on the quiet side, but we can’t wait to see where this guy will go because his poetry speaks volumes! “Smelly breath” and “yellowing teeth” aren’t the only reasons Jacody stays clear of tobacco -- he has to stay fast on the basketball court! Yes, he definitely scored way more than two points with the “Cody Tobacco Creed”!

Julia S. is a freshman majoring in Communication Studies at East Carolina University. A rock singer and scrapbook artist, she also loves being with her little twin brothers and the rest of her rock-music-talented family. (“Dinner music” must be wild in that house!) Being a singer and in the public eye gives Julia lots of reasons to stay tobacco free: “Who wants yellow teeth, awful breath, and wrinkled skin at 30 years old?”. Heading for a career in music and writing for music magazines, best to stay on her good side if you’re interested in the music biz!

Tommie E., a sophomore at West Rowan High School in Salisbury, NC, is a member of the cross country team and volunteers with the Rowan County Youth-in-Action Against Tobacco Council. Because Tommie has chosen to stay tobacco-free, he knows that becoming a star member of the track team and a Grammy-winning singer will be a lot easier! Tommie says he’s learned a lot by joining the TRU movement, and feels he is really making a difference in the lives of the youth who come to their events.

Victoria J. is a sophomore at Wake Early College of Health and Sciences in Raleigh, NC. A singer, musician and songwriter, Victoria will win you over with a smile. Through the Wake TRU Youth Council, and through her songs, she is inspiring other teens to pledge to be tobacco free. After graduation, Victoria plans to go to medical school and continue to encourage people to do what they can to be healthy and smoke free. Hmmm… a doctor who can really sing – now that’s a way to speed up healing!

Kellylynn M., a senior at Bishop McGuiness Catholic High School in Randleman, NC, plans to attend Appalachian State University in the fall. Having lost her dad to lung and throat cancer from smoking, Kellylynn not only vowed she would never start smoking, but as a TRU teen she hopes to influence others to quit. When she’s not spreading the word about tobacco’s downsides or prepping for college, you’ll find her cheerleading or spending time with her friends and family. Rah rah, Kellylynn!

Marina M. is an eighth-grader at Cane River Middle School in Burnsville, NC who lost both grandmothers to lung cancer from smoking. Even if her efforts affect only one person, Marina feels that the TRU movement to get others to be tobacco-free is well worth it. Marina, a cheerleader and dancer, knows that smoking would only get in the way of doing the things she loves. Her future plans of being an animator for TV shows and movies will take her to New York or Tokyo, she expects, so be prepared to travel if you want to track this girl’s path!