By Teresa Varley
Steelers.com

Alan and Julie Faneca will do their part in the fight against breast cancer by hosting Bid for Hope VI at the Jerome Bettis Grille 36 on Oct. 29.

The Faneca's got involved with Bid for Hope through their friendship with Diana Napper, the founder of Glimmer of Hope, a foundation that raises money for breast cancer research.

From the start, they have taken an active role in every aspect of the event, with Alan helping to get autographs from his teammates and making sure they attend to the event, to Julie helping with all of the details to make the night happen – starting with even the smallest details. 

"We just felt like getting involved," said Alan Faneca. "We hadn't done much yet. We had the itch to do some charity work. We got our feet wet and jumped head first into it."

It was an easy sell, as well, as there is a history of breast cancer on Faneca's mother's side.

"I knew the risks," he said. "Everybody is okay, so that was good. But I knew it was out there. It helps too when you are friends with someone and to be able to help them in their cause."

Napper knows that having the Faneca's involved has been a major reason that Glimmer of Hope has been so successful in funding research studies that are geared toward finding a cure for breast cancer.

"Because of Julie and Alan's unselfish commitment the cure for breast cancer is closer and researchers' efforts have been accelerated," said Napper. "Pittsburgh and A Glimmer of Hope are fortunate to have had them commit so deeply to these efforts."

For more information on Glimmer of Hope and to buy tickets for Bid for Hope VI call 1-800-454-6746 or visit http://www.glimmerofhopepin.org.

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October is breast cancer awareness month. During the month the Steelers will be selling a specially designed t-shirt in their Sideline Stores and Online Store. The net proceeds from the sale of the shirt will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The Steelers also will be wearing denim one day during the month to show their support and raise funds for research. During the Steelers-Seahawks game players used pink Gatorade towels on the sideline and sideline personnel wore pink ribbon pins.  One Communications, a Steelers sponsor, also made a donation to the Pittsburgh Race for the Cure before the Seahawks game. Members of Zeta Tau Alpha were at Heinz Field to distributing information on breast cancer and tips for early detection prior to one of the games. Alan and Julie Faneca are hosting Bid for Hope VI on Oct. 29, which benefits A Glimmer of Hope, a foundation set up to find a cure for breast cancer.