Blossoms go pink to honor Miller

A little bit of pink will be on the Blooming Prairie High School football field Friday night, Sept. 2, when the Awesome Blossoms host the Hayfield Vikings.

Pink is the color representing breast cancer prevention and research.

Hayfield head football coach Derrick Thompson and Blooming Prairie head coach Chad Gimbel will each be wearing a pink ribbon signifying their support of those battling cancer.

A young Blooming Prairie woman, Stephanie Miller, valiantly fought cancer and went public with her journey. She passed away a year and a half ago. She is survived by her husband Matt and two children, Claudia and Landon, plus more family members.

For Stephanie

Thompson is Stephanie’s brother. This is his first year as the Vikings’ head football coach.

“We will battle for Stephanie,” he said.

“We will carry the torch for her, too,” Gimbel said.

Four Hayfield Viking captains and five Blooming Prairie seniors will wear pink warmup jerseys to pay tribute to Miller, who was an avid sports fan.

Cheri Krejci, treasurer of the BP Cancer Group, got the idea of dedicating this game Miller’s memory. The BP Cancer Group will salute Stephanie at halftime.

Thompson also is a 2001 Blooming Prairie High School graduate, a Winona State graduate and also a former assistant coach at St. Charles High School. He and his wife, Brittany have three children: Harper, 7; Beckett, 6; and Elliott, 2. They live between Blooming Prairie and Hayfield.

Thompson teaches at Hayfield Elementary School.

Blooming Prairie opens the 2022 season after losing only one game last year and that was in the playoffs. The Vikings finished 2-7 last year.

Stephanie’s journey

Stephanie Miller, the mother of two youngsters, was diagnosed with breast cancer in October of 2015. She immediately began therapy after getting notice of her diagnosis.

"We're over half-way there," Miller said, brimming with confidence as she met with this Times writer. She was not afraid of talking about her cancer and thought by sharing, she could help others.

Miller survived one bout with cancer, but then it returned.

She again met with this writer to share her slant on her cancer journey: “The overwhelming amount of love and generosity that was poured into us from our families and the community can simply not be explained.

“After surgery I heard the two most beautiful words, ‘disease free.’ After surgery, I began five weeks of radiation. I continued to work through radiation, thanks to my very understanding and supportive co-workers and supervisor. I was then put on medication to help prevent reoccurrence.

“Fast forward to March of 2019. The cancer has returned, but it was caught early and has been managed with oral chemo and scans every three months.

“I know it sounds cliché, but I always say cancer gave me so much more than it took away. It made us incredibly humble to realize the people we have in our lives are truly the most amazing people in the world.

“Family, friends, the community, and colleagues have been through this entire journey with us and continue to show us every day how truly blessed we are.

“I know that no matter what happens we have everything we need to fight any battle.”

Friday night’s 7 p.m. match-up will be more than a football game. It will be a time for two football teams to battle, but more importantly, it will be a time to cherish the memory of Stephanie (Thompson) Miller.