Mayor Loses Bet, Must Quit Smoking
Deerfield Beach mayor Peggy Noland must kick her 44-year smoking habit
Relay for Life organizers raised enough money to make a South Florida mayor quit smoking.
Peggy Noland isn't much for gambling, but she recently lost a bet that might actually save her life.
The Deerfield Beach mayor must quit smoking after a local resident helped raise $13,000 to battle cancer.
The bet was with Caryl Berner from Relay for Life.
"She said, 'Will you quit smoking if I raise $10,000?' I didn't even hesitate," Noland said. "I said sure."
It earlier this year, when the mayor challenged Berner to get a relay team started in Century Village.
Berner did, and then said it was time for the mayor to do something for her. She wanted the pack-a-day smoker of 44 years to kick the habit.
"The thing I'm happiest about is the mayor giving up smoking. It's better than the money," Berner said.
The mayor is also changing her lifestyle.
"I've joined Weight Watchers. I've started walking again to get some exercise... and I'm determined to quit smoking," Noland said.
Saturday, hundreds will walk in the "Relay for Life" in Deerfield Beach - for people fighting cancer and to remember those who lost their battle - a battle Noland hopes she doesn't have to experience first hand.
"Sometimes you just need that extra push," Noland said. "My family's been after me for a while, and now I'm finally doing it."
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