Jack Bowness with his Grandpa. Heather Crowe, an Ottawa-area waitress who never smoked a day in her life, developed lung cancer after being exposed to second-hand smoke in the workplace.
Heather Crowe, an Ottawa-area waitress who never smoked a day in her life, developed lung cancer after being exposed to second-hand smoke in the workplace.
Heather courageously made her battle public through Health Canada commercials and speaking engagements traveling throughout Ontario and across Canada to advocate for second-hand smoke bylaws.
Sadly, Crowe lost her battle with lung cancer and passed away on Sunday.
The Heather Crowe Award was established to recognize individuals and organizations that have made a significant contribution to tobacco control efforts at a local level. The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit presented a young community leader with the prestigious award Tuesday.
Jack Bowness, a Grade Five student at King George Public School had done some research on Crowe and her cause, said he was speechless that he had been chosen for the award.
“I’m very sorry, and I say sorry to her family. It’s really horrible that Mrs. Crowe passed away, that Heather passed away, but I’m very happy, and I’m just speechless for once in my life, that this award is given to me…to me… I’m just shocked!”
“I think her goal in life was very good and I think it was to make sure that she was the last person to die of second hand smoke. It was unbelievable that one person could do that much.”
“Even though she’s gone, with her work she’ll never really be gone.”
The timing of one award not only supports the work that Heather Crowe set out to accomplish, but confirms her message was understood and that she has left behind a strong legacy that others will pick up and continue.
Bowness was nominated for the award because of his grass-roots approach to changing the laws around smoking, as the student started a petition calling on the Federal Government to make smoking illegal.
Minister of Health Promotion, Jim Watson, said as he signed the petition, that he was impressed with Bowness and it was very fitting that Bowness be the first person to be presented with the award following the loss of Crowe.
“Heather had a great passion for going to speak with students at high schools and elementary schools and youth groups, she was literally doing that until she could no longer because of her health.”
Because she realised that she wanted to work to ensure that there wasn’t another generation of young people at a rate that is still to high,” states Watson.
The minister said he had no doubt Bowness has a great future as a community leader, and that he hoped Prime Minister Stephen Harper has the opportunity to see Jack’s Picture and perhaps gives speak to the young lobbyist.
“Because it’s an important issue, and we have to do whatever we can to encourage young people to get involved and to be active,” said Watson.
Bowness says he started his crusade this year after his Grandpa was flown home from Florida by air ambulance, as he had become very ill.
“ I decided that there had to be something done,” says Bowness learning of what had caused his grandfather’s illness.
“So, I did a lot of research on the internet about smoking and smoking related causes and I dug up actually that smoking kills 47,000 peoples lives each year from smoking and smoking related causes.”
“I went on the PA one day actually, and I involved my junior division in my school and they signed my petition, they were actually the first ones to sign my petition. So I thank my school and I thank everyone who signed my petition, not for the names but for what those (names) support.”
Well 47,000 people that’s almost the size of North Bay dying each year that’s unbelievable and that’s horrible, for that little bit of money that the Prime Minister and politicians get from that money that smokes sell for, for 47,000 peoples lives that’s horrible … that is horrible.”
Upon receiving his award, Bowness, who is never short on word, had one thing to tell the dignitaries gathered at the North Bay Parry Sound Health Unit and was that he is proud of his grandpa for quitting smoking.
And with that not a dry eye was to be found in the room.
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