Skip to content

Sylvie was driven to quit

Surrounded by love and support, Sault Ste. Marie’s Sylvie Larouche was presented with the Driven to Quit Northeast Region prize at the Canadian Cancer Society office today.

Surrounded by love and support, Sault Ste. Marie’s Sylvie Larouche was presented with the Driven to Quit Northeast Region prize at the Canadian Cancer Society office today.

With her today were her children Lee-Anna, Brian, and Skylar, and friend Jessica Ackland.

Larouche received a cheque for $1,000 for successfully rising to the Driven to Quit challenge by remaining tobacco free for the month of March.

She told SooToday it was hard to break the habit of going outside for a cigarette break, but she feels great and says she has quit smoking for good.

Nicole McGaughey-Paparo, Senior Coordinator for the Smokers' Helpline in Northeastern Ontario, says she loves the Canadian Cancer Society Driven to Quit Challenge because it engages tobacco users in an important discussion and encourages them to make a quit attempt.

“Research tells us that if someone is able to be tobacco free for four to five weeks, the likelihood of them remaining tobacco free is quite good,” McGaughey-Paparo said. “It’s really exciting to have an uplifting conversation and be very positive and motivating these individuals. The Driven to Quit Challenge is just an added incentive for smokers and tobacco users to be motivated to make a quit attempt for their chances of either winning the grand prize in a vehicle and/or some cash prizes.”

Larouche is one of seven regional winners across the province, and was chosen from 1,109 total registrants in the Northeast Region.

In attendance for today’s cheque presentation were Rodney Buzdygan, Sandra Pawson and Carly Brown of the Canadian Cancer Society; Janet Allen and Alison Dutkiewicz of Algoma Public Health; and Dan Ingram of the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Anyone who wishes to quit smoking is encouraged to connect with the Canadian Cancer Society’s Smokers’ Helpline at 1-877-513-5333 or online at SmokersHelpline.ca


What's next?


If you would like to apply to become a Verified reader Verified Commenter, please fill out this form.




Donna Hopper

About the Author: Donna Hopper

Donna Hopper has been a photojournalist with SooToday since 2007, and her passion for music motivates her to focus on area arts, entertainment and community events.
Read more