CANTON, Ohio (Nov. 8, 2016) — The Aultman Cancer Center, the Aultman Heart Center and the Aultman Health Vision 2020 community wellness team are encouraging local smokers to quit by hosting an educational event in conjunction with the American Cancer Society’s annual Great American Smokeout.

The Aultman event will be held Thursday, Nov. 17 in the hallway between the main and Bedford lobbies – right outside the Aultman Breast Care Center - from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Aultman’s certified tobacco treatment specialists and Aultman Cancer Center clinicians will be on hand to educate visitors and staff about Aultman’s free “Give It Up” tobacco cessation program and low-dose CT screenings for people at high risk for lung cancer. Carbon monoxide screenings will be available, along with free nicotine gum samples for smokers interested in quitting.   

An Aultman team member dressed in a turkey costume will promote quitting “cold turkey,” at least for Great American Smokeout Day, and will also direct visitors to the lobby for the educational materials. Refreshments and giveaways will also be provided.

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer: 85-90 percent of lung cancers are diagnosed in current or past smokers. November is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month, so it’s the perfect time for Aultman to encourage smokers to quit. And, Aultman has a free program that can help.

Give It Up is a free, six-week group program led by certified tobacco treatment specialists. The program covers everything from how to create a quitting “plan” to tips on staying tobacco-free. Classes are held at Aultman Hospital’s Cardiac Rehab department in the Aultman Heart Center, located on the third floor of the Bedford building. Click here or call 330-363-QUIT (7848) for more information.