Tom DiDuca

Tom DiDuca and his Harley
"I give credit to the Mayo Clinic NDC for saving my life."

"Mayo's Residential Program is the reason I'm alive today. I have not had a puff since my last cigarette on Friday the 13th of September 2002, the day I entered the program. I have a visual in my mind when I stepped on the butt at 3:45 that afternoon. I remain forever grateful to Dr. Hurt and the entire staff at the NDC for showing me the way.

"My photograph will be on the front cover of a book titled Quitting After 50. I am very active on QuitNet.com and spend at least 1-2 hours each day helping others to become and remain smoke free.

"I remain disabled with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and am on oxygen 24/7. Even so, my life is better today than when I was smoking. I bought myself a brand new Harley Davidson Motorcycle and I ride it every chance I get. I carry the oxygen in a back pack and no one knows the difference. I rode most of my life but had to give it up because of my declining health. A positive attitude, a wonderful family and the will to live got me going again. Am I lucky or what!"