By Karen Jurgens
Adriana Somberg has experienced what no woman ever wants to go through, but ultimately many of us will. She watched her beloved husband Reed die of prostate cancer. He was 59. That was one year ago.
Since then she has dedicated her life to raising awareness of the disease by founding Anglers For The Cure, a fishing tournament to be held August 28-29, 2015 in Reed’s honor at Sailfish Marina & Resort in Singer Island, Florida. Registration for the tournament is open now.
A large portion of the money raised from the tournament will be donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation. Donations will also be made to Treasure Coast Hospice and Hospice of Palm Beach County. The money will be used to fund research and education on the importance of a simple, non-invasive blood test that men need to begin at age 50, or earlier if risk factors are present, to screen for prostate-specific antigen, PSA.
Krystal Glass Company, a custom glass etching company in South Florida, is proud to be one of the sponsors of Anglers For The Cure. Glass artist Peter Edward has created and donated an etched glass sailfish sculpture in an LED illuminated base. The art glass is valued at $400. Etched glass with nautical designs is popular here in South Florida, especially among boaters and people who enjoy sport fishing. The etched glass sailfish will be used in the silent auction to raise money for the cause.
“I can’t thank you enough. You and Peter are angels,” Adriana told me when she picked up the etched glass sailfish at our showroom. “It’s beautiful.”
Peter Edward and I met Adriana at The Palm Beach International Boat Show in March 2015. She told us she and Reed always shared a love for fishing and boating among other outdoor adventures like flying. Reed was a pilot. They enjoyed 29 years together.
“Fishing was such a big part of our 29 years together. I could not think of another way to memorialize those great times,” Adriana said.
According to the American Cancer Society, one in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in American men next to skin cancer. It is estimated that there will be about 220,800 new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in 2015 and about 27,540 deaths. Even young men in their 30s and 40s are being diagnosed and dying from prostate cancer.
Life Extension, an organization at the forefront of medical research for nearly 35 years, and the magazine they publish offer abundant information on prostate cancer and many other health issues. This article from 2000 talks about how nutrition and balanced hormones play a part in prostate cancer.
Frederick Mills, Founding Member of Educational Council for Prostate Cancer Patients and a prostate cancer survivor, advises there are many more resources available today to the cancer patient than there were just a few years ago. Men need to pay attention to the risks of prostate cancer in general, the stressors and the environmental exposures that may play a role. Get tested before it becomes too late.
“Sometimes it is not until we are on the reef that we realize it is there,” he said.
The good news is that most men diagnosed with prostate cancer do not die from it. Therefore early detection through PSA testing is key. About 1 man in 38 will die from prostate cancer.
Reed Somberg had his first PSA test at the age of 54. By then his PSA level was already high. He did not have any family history of the disease. He was active, fit and healthy. He tried several treatments and was even clear of prostate cancer for several months before discovering it had metastasized to his bones and later spread to his spine. He lost his battle on May 22, 2014.
“I was prepared for his passing, but I was not prepared for the feeling of loss of the energy and brightness he gave every day,” Adriana said.
Karen Jurgens is vice president of Krystal Glass Company. She provides superior custom fine art glass to clients and interior designers with service that exceeds expectations. Karen oversees operations, the company’s website and Internet marketing. Her background is in public relations, marketing and computer training for corporations and colleges. In her spare time Karen enjoys exercise, travel, music, and movies at home with her husband Glass Artist Peter Edward. She can be reached at Krystal Glass Company at (954) 973-2998. Follow Karen on Twitter
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