ALAMOSA — The Stephanie L. Miner walk/run event was held on Saturday and, according to Donna Wehe, Director of Communication for San Luis Valley Heath, “It was the biggest ever!”

Wehe said that more than 700 shirts were sold with an estimated 600 participants in the event, raising roughly $20,000 for the MRI upgrade project.

“Besides the walk/run, there were bubble stations, a foam pit, balloon picture booths, and a potato bar. Chris Miner (Stephanie’s husband/widower) donated the potatoes. Chili was donated by Mountain View restaurant and cookies by City Market. ASU wrestlers and cross/track teams were valuable volunteers!”

Wehe also explained one of the other aspects of the Stephanie L. Miner event that raises funds for an important cause — specifically, hand-sewn quilts that are then auctioned off.

“Bev Hettinger makes the quilts and donates them,” Wehe said. “The one this year, which went for $2,200 at the live auction right before the race starts, represented a t-shirt from each of the 20 years. 

“She also made a quilt for Kelly Gurule, the SLVH Foundation Director, to say thank you to her personally.  It was purchased by SLVH Quality Director Margaret White and SLVH Compliance Director Michelle Gay.”

As testimony to a community uniting in fighting breast cancer, Wehe says, “White and Gay will donate the quilt to SLV Health so it can be displayed and enjoyed by all.”

In a speech that recognized who Stephanie L. Miner was and the crucial nature of the funds raised in her honor, Delzia Worley Pavlovsky, chairperson of the SLV Health Foundation, addressed the hundreds of people who participated in the event.

“For those of you that may not remember, the funds raised during the walk from 2003-2006 were used to finance the construction and opening of the Imaging Center. The center was named after a valued community member, public school teacher, wife, and mother of four, Stephanie L. Miner.

“One year after delivering her fourth child, Stephanie discovered a lump in her breast. Because there was no family history of breast cancer, it was thought to be a blocked milk duct from breastfeeding. Unfortunately, Stephanie later discovered that it was breast cancer.

“Once diagnosed, Stephanie and her family immersed themselves to learn the most current information on fighting the disease.

“Stephanie believed the fight against cancer was best waged through an alliance of patients, survivors, and professionals.

“Stephanie L. Miner represents how important prevention, early detection, and most importantly, regular physician visits are to our community residents. The fight against this disease must be waged with education, technology, and support.”

Miner passed away in October 2003.