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STEFANIE SPIELMAN | 1967-2009
A champion lost
Eleven years after initial diagnosis, cancer claims dedicated activist
Friday, November 20, 2009
By Amy Saunders and Jeffrey Sheban
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
FILE PHOTO
Stefanie Spielman in October 1998
Jeff Hinckley | DISPATCH
Chris Spielman shows his College Football Hall of Fame plaque to Stefanie at the OSU-Navy game. With them were their children, from left, back row, Noah and Madison, and front row, Macy and Audrey. Archie Griffin is at right.
Stefanie Spielman, whose public battle with breast cancer made her name synonymous with efforts to find a cure, died yesterday at her Upper Arlington home.
The mother of four and wife of former football star Chris Spielman was 42.
Spielman, who died at 6:16 p.m. with family members nearby, had battled cancer five times since 1998. All the while, she used her high profile to raise millions of dollars for the cause.
She established the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research after her initial diagnosis, considering it a life mission to raise money and awareness.
"I know there's a reason God gave me breast cancer, and I'm supposed to do something with it," she said that year.
As she shared her story throughout central Ohio, the fund accumulated more than $6.5 million for breast-cancer research, education and patient assistance at Ohio State University's Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.
The charity's fundraisers include Stefanie's Champions, an annual luncheon honoring six caregivers of Columbus-area cancer patients, as well as the Buckeye Cruise for Cancer, A Christmas To Cure Cancer and about 100 other community events.
In a statement last night, Chris Spielman -- a former All-America linebacker at Ohio State, 10-year veteran of the National Football League and current sports broadcaster for WNBS radio and ESPN -- expressed gratitude to the family's supporters.
"Stefanie has gone home to be with the Lord," he said. "For that, we celebrate, but with broken hearts. I want to thank everyone for their support. ... Together, with your help, hopefully we made a difference in this fight."