COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Thousands of Central Ohioans are remembering Stefanie Spielman Friday, including the staff and doctors at The James Cancer Hospital.
Stefanie, who battled breast cancer for more than a decade, died Thursday at the age of 42. She passed away at her Upper Arlington home, surrounded by her loving family.
Stefanie and Chris worked closely with The James to raise more than $6 million for breast cancer research.
"The money that she has raised has really helped put The James on the map when it comes to cancer research. Whether it is a vaccine or a new protocol or new treatment," said Steve Chaykowski, director of development at The James.
Miguel Perez is also solemn. The former president of Komen Columbus reflected on the many panel discussions he shared with Stefanie.
"She'd start rattling off all these medical terms and all these medical trials that existed. And the things that they were working on, like a total brain. I was like, 'Wow, she really knows her stuff,'" Perez said.
He said he knows all too well what pain the Spielman family is enduring. He lost his sister to breast cancer.
"I would have to imagine that there is some sort of relief or peace of mind that Stefanie is at peace. But I think the hole in the heart of those kids and her husband is pretty significant," he said.
Stefanie was Ohio State royalty. She was born and raised in northeastern Ohio.
She married her high-school sweetheart, Chris Spielman, the rugged All-American linebacker who was a star for the scarlet and gray and for the NFL.
Stefanie found a lemon-sized lump during a breast self-exam in 1998. She was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 30 and battled cancer into remission four times.
Stefanie and Chris set about raising money for cancer research, using their star power and boundless energy. They created the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research.
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