Linda M. is originally from Maine but currently lives in New York with her family. She has three adult children. She is an avid traveler and works part time specializing in assisted travel for the disabled.

Linda started smoking when she was 16 to "be part of the crowd." She often had to excuse herself from the soda shop to go outside and throw up, because the cigarettes made her feel ill.

Linda at first didn't consider herself addicted. It was "just what everybody did." But when Linda tried to quit, she was surprised at how quickly she went back to smoking. "It scared me to death. When I saw addiction, it was no longer a choice."

Linda was diagnosed with emphysema, for which there is no cure. It took Linda 2 1/2 years and "200 attempts" to finally quit smoking successfully 21 years ago.

Linda is deeply committed to helping people quit smoking and although being involved in the campaign has at times been difficult for her emotionally, she is very grateful and honored to be part of such a large effort to help educate people and save lives. Every day is precious for Linda, who says the most important things to her now are the little things, like watching TV with her family or talking on the phone with her kids and friends.

For more information on emphysema, please visit the American Lung Association and the National Emphysema/COPD Association.