Monday, July 28, 2008 --- 10 p.m.

George Charovano is dying. Fighting back tears, he said, "Personally, I give myself three months. You just don't realize how it's going to catch
up with you."

The 71-year-old Janesville man has vowed that with every dying breath, he will carry out a final mission. "I'm out to save lives, and that's the whole thing in a nutshell."

George started smoking when he was just nine. He smoked two packs a day for many years. "All through high school, military...you think you're so macho, and want to be like everybody else."

He and his wife Barbara finally quit for good back in 1990. He still has the last pack of cigarettes he ever bought--a pack he never opened.

But a couple of years ago, doctors gave him some terrible news. "That's when they did the CAT scan and MRI. That's when they found it." He had lung cancer. It would eventually spread to his brain.

That's meant countless chemotherapy and radiation sessions...and awful side effects. His daughter Linda said, "Every day he is weak and dizzy and can't do anything. If he wanted to just go out and go golfing, he couldn't do it. He can hardly walk to the car to go to his treatments." George added, 'I'm tired all the time, I have a hard time breathing all the time. I have a hard time eating, it creates sores in my mouth. Before, I was getting sores in my nose, which is very painful. I don't want to see people go through this...I really don't."

So, George, Barbara , and daughter Linda decided this spring to speak to high school kids about what can happen to you and your family if you start smoking like George did when he was young. Linda told a class at Evansville High School, "I'm going to lose the most important person in my life because he made the decision to smoke. Am I angry about that? Yeah. Because I'm getting cheated big time." George pleaded with them to not smoke. "You're so young and have so much to live for."

A few days later, George received a surprise in the mail. All of those students had sent him letters of encouragement and appreciation. Many said they would never smoke after hearing what happened to George. Seated next to Barbara, who tenderly put her arm around him, trying to comfort him, George broke down as he read a student's letter. The student wrote, "You are one of the best guest speakers that I have heard. You made me realize how precious life is. I hope I find love in my life like some day like you and your wife did."

Now, George faces the reality that he has little time left with his wife, children, and grandchildren. Linda told me about how she got married last month and how, "It was a huge deal to have him walk me down the aisle. That meant the world to me." Turning to her father and giving him a kiss, she said, "That was a day I'll never forget, and I was very very blessed that you were there. I love you, Dad." He replied with a simple, "Love you."

George Charovano spent his final years wondering how things might have been different if he had left the first pack of cigarettes he ever bought unopened, instead of the last. "I don't want anyone to go through what I've gone through. I love my family so dearly, and I don't want to leave them."

Sadly, George Charovano lost his battle with lung cancer one week ago today--less than two weeks after our interview. His family felt it was important that we share his story...share his message with others.

If you were moved by George's courage, or would like to send a note his family, please write your comments in the box below this story. We also encourage you to send a link to this story to someone who might benefit from hearing George's message.

Kicking the Habit
How to Help in the Fight
UW Hospital Lung Cancer info and events
American Lung Association
Celebrate Hope Event