Preeclampsia Foundation volunteer Alli Creek and her husband, former Major League BaseballÒ player Doug Creek, of Punta Gorda, Fla., have challenged the Professional Tarpon Tournament Series community to raise $50,000 to support the Preeclampsia Foundation’s educational goals. The Creeks are producing the 2nd Annual Silver King Awards Banquet on Friday, June 15, 2007 at Gasparilla Marina in Placida, Fla., as a fundraiser to help meet this challenge. Anglers and the public at large are invited to attend the banquet.
In addition to celebrating the successes of the Tarpon Tournament, proceeds from the fundraiser will help the Preeclampsia Foundation produce and distribute a series of educational DVDs about preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, a potentially life-threatening health issue that affects one in 12 pregnancies.
Creek was affected twice by preeclampsia that resulted in the emergency birth of her son in 2002, and the premature delivery of her daughter a year and a half later. The Preeclampsia Foundation was a source of support and information for Creek and her family during those difficult years.
“While the death rate from preeclampsia is relatively low, the fact that we still lose mothers in this country – somebody’s sister, daughter, mother – and that thousands of babies die or are born prematurely – often just because of a lack of awareness and education – is unacceptable to me,” explained Creek. “Many women are diagnosed late, turning their pregnancy into a crisis, often because they did not know the signs and symptoms and when professional health care was needed.”
The Creeks have a professional connection to the local angler community and wanted to parlay those relationships into an opportunity to do something for a cause for which they are passionate.
The Professional Tarpon Tournament Series includes six tournaments and a Tarpon Cup Championship all taking place in Boca Grande Pass, just off the shore of Little Gasparilla Island State Park, between May 19 and June 17. Weekly winners and the “team of the year” will be recognized at the awards banquet on June 15. This year’s banquet is sponsored by Tu-Peat, Inc., the Chipper Jones Foundation, Century Boat Co., Pepsi, Beam Spirits and Wine, Miller Brewing Company, Gasparilla Marina, Oak Farms Nursery and Innovative Planners.
In addition to the awards ceremony, the evening includes a buffet dinner prepared by Placida’s Prime Time Steak and Spirits, a silent auction, music by Rebel Pride and a special presentation by the MDRT Foundation. The silent auction items include professional sports teams’ memorabilia, fishing and boating equipment, weekend getaways and much more. Sponsorships are still available and tickets are $50. For more information and to purchase tickets please call Alli Creek at (727) 644-0040.
About Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine; other symptoms often include swelling in the hands and face. Preeclampsia affects the mother's kidneys, liver and other vital organs and, if undetected or untreated, can lead to seizures (eclampsia), cerebral hemorrhage, failure in vital organs (i.e., kidney and heart), and death. Preeclampsia is as common in the United States as breast cancer, complicating 5-8% of all pregnancies and accounting for 15% of all premature births. By conservative estimates, each year this disease is responsible for 76,000 maternal deaths and half a million infant deaths worldwide.
About the Preeclampsia Foundation
The Preeclampsia Foundation is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in the year 2000 to fund and drive research, raise public and professional awareness, reduce preventable death and disability of mothers and babies, and provide support and education for those whose lives have been touched by preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. More information can be found at www.preeclampsia.org or calling toll-free
1-800-665-9341.