|
Dr. Wigand personally reads every email sent to him via this website.
Below are excerpts from some of his most recent emails (names and other personally
identifiable information have been removed for privacy).
You can email Dr. Wigand at:
Dr Wigand,
I am not sure you remember me. I was a student in the advanced biology class, in which you student taught.
I just wanted to drop you a line because you have recently been on my mind. First, I saw your picture in the most recent issue of the Xavier University magazine as a previous speaker at the Business Ethics series. Then, just the other night, I turned on the television and was greeted by Russell Crowe and Al Pacino in the Insider on whatever movie channel happened to be on. I watched the remainder of the movie, having not seen it in several years.
Both of these coincidences led me to figure I was supposed to drop you a line.
I wanted to let you know, as a more grown adult now, with responsibilities weighing on me, including marriage and 2 daughters and financial obligations, I have a completely renewed respect for the situation you were faced with back in your days in Louisville. Of course, none of us as high school students could appreciate what your life must have been like at that time, and I do not pretend to be able to now. However, I wanted you to know that I think you were a fabulous high school biology teacher and that you handled yourself very professionally, especially considering your other stresses!
I hope that you and your family are well.
Sincerely,
Name Removed
I can not express how wonderful a person you are to have revealed these untruths and out right deceptions by the tobacco industry. When the lawsuits came out, I truly didn't understand how anyone could sue a company that produced the drug that people autonomously used. Huge jokes were circulating concerning how ridiculous a lawsuit would be, and how much money is being spent on this wasted time. I actually didn't check into the facts until watching the movie which caused a light bulb to go off in my mind. OH! (I thought) it's one thing for independent research to come out and let the public know that tobacco particulate causes cancer, but it's a whole other issue to have a corporation ignore scientific findings on specific additives, because it would affect the sell of tobacco.
My father died in May 2006 at the age of 58. He had smoked, at one time two packs a day, since 13 years of age. When my father was diagnosed the doctor asked if he wanted the patch to help him quit smoking, he laughed, and said no I will quit on my own. Two weeks later, one of the medical journals produced an article stating that the nicotine actually protects the cancer cells, and that even patches won't help to deter their growth during chemotherapy treatments. My father did quit smoking, cold turkey, only having a hit off other people’s cigarettes, they unfortunately smoked when they came to visit. He did smoke in his sleep and would wake up thinking he had one in his hand, and would shake it off in a panic. I insisted on yearly exams, but unfortunately the chest X-ray didn't uncover this small cell cancer, and it was very quick growing. It killed him in a matter of only 5 weeks.
You went through great turmoil that I can't even fathom, but imagine where you would be if you never learned of these things. You have access to children even if you just save one from what I witnessed, if you stop one person from killing themselves, because they have access to the information. Tobacco corporations will do ANYTHING to hook you for life.
Thank you,
Name Removed
Dear Dr. Wigand,
Thank you for being an example of the embodiment of Integrity.
Be well.
Names Removed
I just wanted to express my sincere admiration for the type of person that
you must be. To do what is right in the face of unimaginable circumstances is
truly inspirational. I am a single dad with a six year old daughter and if anyone ever threatened her I don't know what I would do. I wish you well in all of your current endeavors. Your story and your character has made me a better person.
Name Removed
Pennsylvania
Mr. Wigand,
I am one of the fortunate ones whose smoking career was about 20 min. I was 14 years old at the time and a boy that I was trying to impress told me how silly I looked. That young man did me the greatest favor he could ever have imagined. However, I have family members who have been severely affected by this addiction and have paid for it with their health and ultimately their lives. My darling father just prior to his death crawled out from his oxygen tent and sneaked into the bathroom because he ‘had’ to have a smoke. What a waste of a wonderful life.
I just wanted to tell you how moved I was by the film and the price you paid to simply tell the truth. Thank you for the work you are continuing to do and the lives you have saved.
Name Removed
Dear Dr. Wigand,
My husband and I just watched the movie – ‘The Insider’ for the first time.
Although we were familiar with the news story, we had no idea of the
sacrifice you had to make. We respect and appreciate your courage.
Sincerely,
Name Removed
Waterford, MI
I don't know if you are still in South Carolina, I am in Savannah. I hope you have been able to rebuild your life and find some happiness and quietness which you have earned. I just wanted to wish you well.
Name Removed
Hello Dr. Wigand,
Sir, I wanted to thank you. The information you have provided on tobacco, the incredible courage you have shown and the tenacity with which you fight have all inspired me to quit this horrid addiction I have had. I am a 34 yr old US Army Veteran and did not pick up the curse until combat deployment to Afghanistan. Stress did it for me. So for what seems like 2 years but is actually closer to 7, I have been roughly a pack a day, usually a few cigarettes shy of this. No more. I knew they were horrid and death incarnate, but I had no idea just how darn insane these things actually are. I cannot believe these companies are allowed to poison us like this, it's outrageous. Thank you for fighting for me, something I'm not used to saying, more used to hearing. But I can accredit you to giving me the tools, saying what I needed to hear, to motivate me to change. I cannot thank you enough. You sir, can add another notch to your bedpost, another life saved.
Sincerely,
Name Removed
Dr. Wigand,
All I can say is thank you.
Thank you for your moral responsibility.
Name Removed
I just finished watching ‘The Insider.’ My father died of a heart attack, but also had lung cancer at the time, most probably brought on by his smoking of unfiltered and filtered cigarettes. I wish he could have seen the movie long before he became sick. It might have saved him.
You are a hero for me now. I know you say you only did the right thing, and that is true also, but it takes a courageous person to stand and say, ‘this is wrong.’ I did once, and have suffered many years because of it. I am glad to know that you are now, hopefully, happy in your life.
Name Removed
|
