Diane Hornstein watched her husband go from the most independent, self-sufficient man she knew to depending almost completely on others for care before he died earlier this year.
“For the first time in his life, he became dependent,” said Hornstein of Buffalo Grove. “He survived many trying, challenging circumstances and maintained his independence throughout. Prostate cancer robbed him of everything.”
For that reason and to help prevent other families from facing the same torment and loss, Hornstein and her family will participate in the 12th annual SEA Blue Chicago Prostate Cancer Walk & Run in Chicago on Sunday, Sept. 11.
“Because of all we went through as a family is why we got involved and are so passionate about the cause,” said Aliza Pestine, Hornstein’s daughter, also of Buffalo Grove. “Before my dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer, we knew very little about the disease.”
Irving “Irv” Hornstein, who spoke six languages, survived childhood moves from Poland to Russia and Siberia during World War II, immigration to Cuba after the war, and at the age of 15, his mother’s death one year after they arrived in the U.S. in 1950, Diane Hornstein said.
After moving from one aunt and uncle to another, Irv Hornstein earned a soccer scholarship to Long Island University as an undergraduate and then worked his way through dental school at Temple University, Diane said.
After finishing dental school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served as a captain in the medical corps during the Vietnam War, she said. He eventually started his own practice, Diane said.
“For a young man to do that without parental guidance is extraordinary,” she said.
Although Irv was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2007, he led an active life until undergoing brain surgery six years later because the prostate cancer had metastasized to his brain, Diane said.
“That’s not to say he didn’t suffer from the effects of the treatment,” she said. “He lost a lot of who he was in the process, but was still independent and active and had a quality of life where he was very much involved with his family and friends. But after brain surgery in 2013, the last couple of years were not what anybody would want for their loved ones.”
Irv attended last year’s SEA Blue walk with a cane but was unable to participate, Diane said.
“We all knew last year was the last year dad was going to be around,” Pestine said. “His health was already deteriorating.”
“He came with our family because the event is to support, educate and advocate,” Diane said. “It did all of those things for our family.”
The SEA – support, education and advocacy – walk hopes to raise $150,000 this year, according to Eve Swire, a spokeswoman for the event. The money will help fund the work of Us Too International, a nonprofit that provides educational resources and support services to the prostate cancer community at no charge, Swire said.
SEA Blue goes from 8 a.m. to noon in Lincoln Park, at LaSalle and Stockton drives on Chicago’s lakefront. Prostate cancer survivor and retired Major League Baseball star Ken Griffey Sr. is scheduled to speak about prostate cancer.
The Chicago Area Runners Association has certified a 5K race as part of the event, while a walk through Lincoln Park will allow individuals and teams to raise awareness for prostate cancer, the most common cancer among men, Swire said.
Doctors will provide disease education presentations and free PSA testing, which helps detect prostate cancer, she said.
Us Too supported Irv’s family with presentations from renowned medical experts and invaluable support from other sufferers and survivors, Diane said.
“My dad had a lot support from the organization with the camaraderie of men going through similar experiences,” Pestine said.
“This SEA event is very importantly intended to raise awareness, so that just as breast cancer is spoken about and in the news, we want prostate cancer to be in the forefront,” Diane said. “So men, young men, boys and families will know what the risks are and know what the options are.”
Phil Rockrohr is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
