By Teresa Varley
Steelers.com
Heath and Katie Miller did their part in the fight against breast cancer when they hosted Bid for Hope VII at the Jerome Bettis Grille 36.
The event benefits Glimmer of Hope, a foundation that is committed to raising funds for breast cancer research and finding a cure.
"It's such a common disease that odds are everyone in our locker room knows some one or is related to someone who has been affected by it," said Miller, who has a cousin who successfully battled the disease. "It's definitely something that money needs to be raised for, research need to be done and we need to find a way to deal with it."
The event was started with the help of former Steelers guard Alan Faneca and his wife Julie, who came from New York for this year's event, and Miller wanted to make sure it continued.
"It's a good cause," said Miller. "It's something Alan and Julie started a while back. I have always enjoyed attending and at the same time it's been for a good cause. When Alan left he asked me to take over. I couldn't let anything like this end. I was glad to do it."
Having the Miller's make that commitment to the event is something that means a great deal to the charity.
"It's been a wonderful transition," said Diana Napper, who founded Glimmer of Hope. "Heath and Katie understand the whole philosophy and are committed on that level. They have taken the handoff and they are running. It's been a wonderful transition. We haven't skipped a beat."
One of the highlights of the event for those who attend is the opportunity to get autographs from Miller and some of his Steelers teammates. Among the many players who attended this year were Hines Ward, Ben Roethlisberger, Brett Keisel, Max Starks and Marvel Smith.
"The Steelers have been fabulous with my organization," said Napper. "It has been wonderful. It's the whole Pittsburgh mentality where they do what they can to help because breast cancer is a really serious disease and they step up for it."
A silent and live auction filled with Steelers memorabilia and other amazing items also helps in the efforts to raise funds and the money all goes directly to research.
