December 27th is forever etched in Betsy’s memory. For her 71st birthday, she gave herself an early birthday present–the gift of a healthy, smoke-free life. Betsy received help from the HPRC Tobacco Treatment Research Program (TTRP) and is now smoke-free after over 50 years! Two days before her scheduled quit date, she said, “I decided to give myself an early birthday present, Happy Birthday to me!”

When Betsy agreed to visit the TTRP at the TSET Health Promotion Research Center, a part of the OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, her only thought was that she would hear what they had to say, but she doubted it would make much of a difference. She was not yet committed to the idea of quitting, and she wasn’t sure the program would work.  She had tried to quit several times in the past without success. Before she quit, Betsy smoked between 2 ½ and 3 packs per day. She started smoking when she was 19 years old as a way to cope with the loss of her mother who had recently passed away.

When asked what Betsy liked about the program and why she was successful in quitting this time, she indicated that TTRP staff played a critical role, “My counselor, was so easygoing and supportive. She was never judgmental and had such a positive attitude about my journey. She helped me believe that I could do it. If you are considering the program, just go and listen to what they have to say. That’s all I was going to do and now look at me. I have quit for good!”

Additionally, Betsy said that using her phone made it so easy to participate in the program. She would wake up to a motivational message each day at the time she would normally have her first cigarette and felt that this was helpful to start off her day on the right foot. The motivational messages and helpful hints helped her stay strong during the toughest times of the day, and the questionnaires played an important role in her accountability.

Betsy continues to feel better each day since she quit smoking nine months ago. She no longer has coughing fits throughout the day and is able to swim 2-3 days per week.

The TTRP staff are proud to have helped Betsy to give herself such a wonderful early birthday present, and they hope to continue helping others to give themselves the gift of a healthy, smoke-free life!

The HPRC’s Tobacco Treatment Research Program (TTRP) offers free tobacco cessation counseling services, nicotine patches, lozenges, or gum; opportunities to participate in paid tobacco cessation research studies involving smartphone apps, prescription medications, and monetary rewards for quitting.

For more information about smoking cessation treatment and participating in research, please call: (405) 271-QUIT (7848), email: TTRP@ouhsc.edu, or visit: 271quit.com.