Kenosha-area residents Shawn and Denise White quit smoking thanks to an innovative research collaboration between the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and Aurora Health Care. Clinicians at their Aurora Health Center on 15th Place in Kenosha invited them to participate in the Partnership to Assist and Serve Smokers, or UW-PASS. 

In the study, Shawn and Denise received free coaching on how to quit from UW-PASS health counselors Mari Marquez and Sara Kaebisch.

“Sara is wonderful,” Denise White said. White said Kaebisch offered many helpful tips. “’When you think about smoking, you put the gum in, or take deep breaths, or have water next to you,’” White said. “It all helped. Sara cared as much as we did. My husband likes working with Mari. It’s wonderful.”

The research study is sponsored by a $9 million grant from the National Cancer Institute. The goal is to discover the best ways to motivate smokers in clinics to quit smoking and, once they decide to quit, help folks like the Whites with the best treatments to help them succeed.

Research shows nicotine in cigarettes is as addictive as cocaine or heroin. White said quitting wasn’t easy, especially at first. “Getting over that hump at the beginning was key.” She had to relearn certain activities, like taking the dog out, when in the past it prompted her to smoke. She said the nicotine gum helped with her cravings.

White said she and her husband feel much healthier now that they’re smoke-free. “We’re just ecstatic. Some people don’t realize how much money they spend. It was close to $400 a month for us. It’s not worth it. We’ve been able to pay off bills. It feels good to taste food again. Our hands and hair don’t smell. It’s really nice. It’s a wonderful program.”

To watch Shawn talking about how he quit, click here.
To see Denise talking about her experience, click here.