COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Family and friends, breast-cancer survivors and a community are mourning the loss of Stefanie Spielman.
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.
Her husband Chris said Stefanie "has gone home to be with the Lord."
Wife. Mom. Buckeye. Those are some of the names by which Stefanie's friends and family will remember her.
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.
She saw it as a challenge, not just a diagnosis.
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.
Always a fighter, she battled cancer into remission four times.
A strong faith helped anchor the Spielmans.
"I've never asked why me, and I think that's one of the blessings that my faith has allowed me to have," Spielman said.
Her family would eventually include four children: Madison, Noah, Macy and Audrey.
Because of her efforts more than $6.5 million has been raised to support breast-cancer patients and research at The James.
"Cancer kills. And whether I die a year from now or I die 30 years from now, I want to know what's going to happen to me after this life. Because this lifetime is nothing compared to what's ahead.
For those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, Stefanie will be remembered by another name –- a heroine.
STATEMENT FROM OSU
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The following are statements from Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee, Dr. Michael Caligiuri, director of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center and chief executive officer of the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute; and Lance Armstrong, champion cyclist, three-time cancer survivor and LIVESTRONG founder, regarding breast cancer survivor and advocate Stefanie Spielman, who died after more than a decade-long battle with breast cancer.
“Through her remarkable grace and compassion for others, Stefanie Spielman taught all of us powerful lessons about the human capacity for love and courage,” said Gee. “She was an extraordinary person and one of the University's firmest of friends. We were deeply proud to be able to celebrate her accomplishments, and those of Chris and their wonderful family, during a ceremony at one of our football games this fall. I was blessed to know Stefanie, to witness her good work, and to count her as a friend. We will miss her mightily.”
“Not only did Stefanie Spielman create the Stefanie’s Champions annual event to honor cancer caregivers, but through her tireless devotion and advocacy for more research into the prevention and treatment of breast cancer, she helped raise more than $6.5 million for cancer research through the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research at The James,” said Caliguiri. “She will be missed, but never forgotten. Her passion and commitment will live on for generations to come. She’s truly a champion.”
“Today we have lost a leader in the fight against cancer. Stefanie was a living example of courage and strength to everyone around her. Her perseverance was unmatchable. While the cancer community marks her passing, my family and I will keep the Spielmans in our thoughts as they say goodbye to their beloved wife and mother. For her sake, we will continue the battle she fought against a disease that claims too many women all over the world,” said Armstrong.
For more information, visit http://www.spielmanfund.com.
STATEMENT FROM OHIO STATE FOOTBALL COACH JIM TRESSEL
“On behalf of the entire Buckeye football family, we send our love, thoughts and prayers to the Spielman family. Stefanie has inspired the entire Buckeye nation and Columbus community with her courage and strength. We will miss her and will always remember the lessons we learned from her. She will always be a special Buckeye.”
STATEMENT FROM OHIO STATE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT ARCHIE GRIFFIN
“We are tremendously saddened at the passing of Stefanie Spielman. Stefanie was a great friend of the University and the Alumni Association and she always impressed me with her capacity for compassion and strength. More importantly, she took her personal struggle and used it as a platform to help other women battling breast cancer. She was a wonderful alumnae and personified the Buckeye spirit.”
The Alumni Association is a dues-supported organization of graduates, former students, and friends of the university with more than 120,000 members. For more than 125 years, the Alumni Association has been dedicated to connecting alumni, friends and students to enhance and strengthen the traditions and reputation of The Ohio State University.
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