R.J. Reynolds' Grandson Speaks Out

Source from:  THE GOSHEN NEWS 08/29/2011

Patrick Reynolds, a grandson of tobacco company founder R.J. Reynolds, spoke out publicly against the cigarette industry in Congress after his own father died from smoking. Reynolds has become an outspoken opponent of Big Tobacco, and is executive director of the Foundation for a Smokefree America. Reynolds spoke to students, staff and community members at Northridge Junior High Wednesday, and Goshen High School and Fairfield Junior High School Thursday and Westview Junior High and Bethany Christian today. As he visits these Elkhart County schools, Reynolds will tell his personal story of crossing over to fight for the other side, and then provide an update on where we are in Indiana in the battle against smoking, and what needs to be done now. Reynolds will start by telling teens the story of his father's death from smoking. He will emphasize the addictiveness of tobacco, and show slides depicting how the tobacco industry has targeted youth. He'll tell the touching story of high school track star Sean Marsee, who died at 19 from chewing tobacco, showing before and after photos. Reynolds will deliver his message, which concludes, "Hold on to your health - you'll need it in the incredible, amazing years ahead of us all." Community health fair Reynolds will conclude his time in Elkhart County with a free community talk on Saturday at the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds during a special TCB Tobacco Free Health Fair. The health fair will begin with a family fun walk at 9 a.m., followed by free throw and corn hole tournaments. At 10 a.m., children's carnival games and health fair booths will open, with featured booths from IU Health Goshen and the Elkhart County Health Department's Tobacco Control division. The health fair will conclude with a free community talk from Elkhart County Tobacco Control Coordinator Mark Potuck and Reynolds, starting at 11:30 a.m. "Any time we can educate students and the community about the dangers of smoking it is a worthwhile event," said Dr. Ebenezer Kio, director of medical oncology at IU Health Goshen Center for Cancer Care. "Smoking is a risk factor in a number of health concerns - from cancer and beyond. If bringing Patrick into the community can keep just one child from choosing to smoke that first cigarette, then it has been well worth Patrick's time. We are grateful that he has agreed to come to Elkhart County." Indiana University Health Goshen Center for Cancer Care is sponsoring these events, which are organized by the group TCB - Tobacco Free in honor of a Goshen Center for Cancer Care patient who successfully beat his battle with throat cancer in 2010. "When our friend, Tom Coy, was diagnosed with throat cancer last spring, he began to encourage his own friends to discontinue their tobacco use" said Paul McDowell, a 1980 Fairfield High School classmate, and former neighbor, of Coy. "Tom had a great group of doctors and staff care for him at IU Health Goshen Center for Cancer Care, and he was declared cancer free on Dec. 15, 2010." Tom's has now persuaded at least 10 friends to give up tobacco use, said McDowell, organizer of the Elkhart County event. "Our group, TCB - Tobacco Free is following Tom's lead by promoting events that share this Tobacco Free message," he said. "Patrick Reynolds speaking engagements at these area schools and at our Aug. 27 Health Fair allows for a strong National voice to spread this message with local students and in our community." Enditem