In January 1989, MD Anderson went smoke-free. It happened the same month and year that I started working here.

Now when people see me, they think of the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout (GASO) and saying no to tobacco. That's because for 23 years, I've helped coordinate GASO's logistics and direct people to resources here at MD Anderson during the event, which is held every November.

But for me, GASO...