The Steelers support of breast cancer awareness month continued when tight end Heath Miller and his wife Katie hosted Bid for Hope.
The event benefits Glimmer of Hope, a foundation committed to raising funds for breast cancer research and finding a cure, working in conjunction with Magee Women's Hospital.
"It's a great cause," said Miller. "I know the people at Magee work hard every day to find a cure for this disease and take steps to better treating breast cancer. We are glad to be a part of it."
This is the 10th year for Bid for Hope and former Steelers guard Alan Faneca and his wife Julie, two of the driving forces since the inception of the event, returned to take part.
"It's crazy to think back to where we started and where we are now and the things we have been able to do," said Faneca. "It's exciting and fun. We are so excited to be able to come back."
Glimmer of Hope is funding an under-40 breast cancer study to help those who are diagnosed at a young age.
"Being able to do this can be attributed to the Pittsburgh Steelers participation and all of the players who have participated," said Diana Napper, the founder of Glimmer for Hope. "It says something about the organization that players are willing to step up and take it as a responsibility. Heath and Katie have picked the ball up and moved it forward. The event gets financially more successful every year. The Steelers do a tremendous job of having the players be conscious of things in the city that need their help."
The players signed autographs for those attending and a silent and live auction also highlighted the night.
"Having organizations like Glimmer of Hope raise money for breast cancer research means a lot to me," said tackle Max Starks. "This marks the 20th year of my mother being a breast cancer survivor. It's special for us, this month means a lot. It's amazing how far breast cancer research has come in the last 20 years. It's people like Heath, and like Alan Faneca when it first started, who took it upon themselves and made this a signature event. It's a great event.
"Cancer knows no age limits, no classes, no race or ethnic background, it's just one thing that is colorless and affects everybody. All of us have women in our lives we care about. There is somebody that is important to us and it can affect them equally. To have these types of events mean a lot. To have it so close to me, my mom, and go through that process and now 20 years later she is still around, still kicking and as spry as ever is amazing. It's because people cared. We are trying to find ways to get rid of this dangerous, deadly disease."
