Heather Crowe Legacy Fund

The Heather Crowe Legacy Fund

Heather Crowe wanted to be the last person to die from second-hand smoke in the workplace.

In 2002, Heather Crowe was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer caused by exposure to second-hand smoke from years of working in smoke-filled restaurants and bars. She never smoked a day in her life.

Because she became ill as a result of workplace exposure, Heather filed a claim with the Ontario Workers Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) for worker's compensation. WSIB accepted Heather's compensation claim agreeing with her doctors that her cancer was caused by second-hand smoke at work.

But she didn’t stop there. Heather envisioned a better future for other workers. She travelled across Canada, promoting changes to municipal, provincial and federal laws to better protect workers from second-hand smoke. She allowed her story to be told in government advertisements, news stories and on film. She worked tirelessly and she made a difference.

In honour of her incredible dedication to tobacco control, her hard work and sacrifice, a Legacy Fund, was established. According to Heather’s wishes, the Fund will support projects that are action-oriented and improve protection from second-hand smoke, or effectively engage youth in tobacco control activities.

Heather died on May 22, 2006. She is deeply missed by family, friends and colleagues.

Following a request from Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada, an organization that worked tirelessly with Heather to help promote her message, the CCTC agreed to act as custodians of the Heather Crowe Legacy Fund.

Intended to secure funds through active and passive fundraising strategies, this fund is governed by an advisory council consisting of eight members:

• Two members from Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada
• Two members of the CCTC Board of Directors (or designate)
• Two members from city of Ottawa (including one representative from Exposé or a youth initiative)
• A member from a fund granting authority such as Health Canada or Smoke-free Ontario
• A member from an organization outside Ontario.

On an annual basis, the HCLF Advisory Committee meets to award funds to tobacco control projects that are action-oriented and improve protection from second-hand smoke, or effectively engage youth in tobacco control activities.

Your generous gift will support Heather’s wishes and vision for a smoke-free society.

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