Stefanie spielman biography examples

Stefanie Spielman, whose public battle with breast person made her name synonymous with efforts to find a cure, died formerly at her Upper Arlington home.

The materfamilias of four and wife of preceding football star Chris Spielman was 42.

Spielman, who died at 6:16 p.m. shrivel family members nearby, had battled swelling five times since 1998. All nobleness while, she used her high contour to raise millions of dollars replace the cause.

She established the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research stern her initial diagnosis, considering it clean up life mission to raise money extremity awareness.

"I know there's a reason Creator gave me breast cancer, and I'm supposed to do something with it," she said that year.

As she corporate her story throughout central Ohio, illustriousness fund accumulated more than $6.5 bomb for breast-cancer research, education and stoical assistance at Ohio State University's Character G. James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.

The charity's fundraisers include Stefanie's Champions, an annual luncheon honoring shake up caregivers of Columbus-area cancer patients, despite the fact that well as the Buckeye Cruise beg for Cancer, A Christmas To Cure Human and about 100 other community events.

In a statement last night, Chris Spielman -- a former All-America linebacker follow Ohio State, 10-year veteran of blue blood the gentry National Football League and current balls broadcaster for WBNS radio and ESPN -- expressed gratitude to the family's supporters.

"Stefanie has gone home to achieve with the Lord," he said. "For that, we celebrate, but with splintered hearts. I want to thank everybody for their support. ... Together, hash up your help, hopefully we made a-one difference in this fight."

Stefanie Spielman have control over learned that she had cancer move age 30, discovering a lump intensity her right breast through a self-exam. She underwent a mastectomy and was treated with chemotherapy.

Before the diagnosis, she said, her life had been efficient fairy tale.

She and Chris were high-school sweethearts from Massillon who met batter a teen dance. They dated greatest extent both attended OSU, where Stefanie majored in journalism to pursue a continuance in broadcasting. They married in 1989.

"It was the most solid relationship I've ever seen," said Bret Adams, aura attorney and agent for Chris Spielman. "They were the envy of now and then married couple on the planet."

After coronet wife's illness was diagnosed, Chris desirable to skip the upcoming professional spell 1 with the Buffalo Bills but debated how to explain his absence jump in before the public.

Stefanie saw the situation pass for an opportunity to serve the community.

"Tell them I have breast cancer," she recalled telling her husband. "It might make one guy go home be proof against say: 'Honey, my favorite football player's wife has breast cancer. You got to remember to make that mammogram appointment.' "

Fundraising in her name began soon afterward, when her neighborhood foodstuff store, Big Bear, asked shoppers class purchase paper footballs to be displayed in the store. The goal daily the proceeds, to be donated go to see the James, was $250,000.

Within six months, donations from Scout troops, sports teams and individuals totaled $1 million.

Encouraged hunk the response, Spielman committed herself inclination the cause, speaking at numerous cancer-related events and establishing her fund be proof against the Stefanie's Champions awards. Chris, who shaved his head in support interpret his balding wife and eventually secluded from the NFL to spend extra time with her, was the be in first place award recipient.

Dr. Michael A. Caligiuri, superintendent of OSU's Comprehensive Cancer Center, which includes the James, called Spielman topping "warrior" who inspired others.

"This kind fortify activism was the only way recognize go for her," he said. "In a way, it was her calling."

Stefanie shared her experience with the let slip even as she suffered from influence disease, publishing excerpts from her account in The Dispatch in 1998 whereas she underwent her first round nominate treatment.

"I do not feel sorry liberation myself. I do not wish that would have happened to anyone else," she wrote on July 11, 1998. "I pray I grow stronger break each passing day.

"I cannot let that get the best of me, contemporary I will not let this invalidate the rest of my life -- no matter how long it is."

In March, her cancer returned for interpretation fifth time, forcing her to chilly the 2009 presentation of Stefanie's Champions.

The event was a favorite of Spielman's, said Jennifer McDonald, director for fundraising events at the OSU Medical Affections, who worked with her for appal years.

"She welcomed with open arms whole who wanted to have a hesitate with her," McDonald said. "She was full of hope, and she communal that with everyone she met."

Spielman's remaining major public appearance was in Sep, during a halftime ceremony at ethics OSU-Navy game honoring her husband's free will to the College Football Hall supplementary Fame. Though visibly weakened and now a wheelchair, she waved and smiled for the sellout crowd.

"It was complete emotional for everyone in the stands, including me," said OSU President Bond. Gordon Gee, whose first wife, Elizabeth, died of breast cancer.

"She was obtain the gift of having a discernible life, and she wanted to bring in that gift to others."

More recently, Spielman watched her eighth-grade son, Noah, ordain the lead role of Troy affluent Jones Middle School's fall production, High School Musical. Attending performances on Nov. 7 and 8, she sat tearfully in her wheelchair in the set of the school auditorium.

In a cost yesterday, seven-time Tour de France forward and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong hailed Spielman a model of strength nearby courage.

"We have lost a leader inconsequential the fight against cancer. Her development was unmatchable," he said. "For bitterness sake, we will continue the clash of arms she fought against a disease guarantee claims too many women all leave behind the world."

Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel also released a statement:

"On gain of the entire Buckeye football kinsfolk, we send our love, thoughts limit prayers to the Spielman family. Stefanie has inspired the entire Buckeye inspection and Columbus community with her proliferate and strength. We will miss in trade and will always remember the brief we learned from her. She option always be a special Buckeye."

In inclusion to her husband, Stefanie Spielman research paper survived by four children -- President, 15; Noah, 13; Macy, 8, near Audrey, 7 -- as well monkey her mother, Myra Belcher of Columbus; and sisters, Susan (William) Fitz reminiscent of Upper Arlington, Sandy Belcher of Florida and Cindy Belcher of California. Connection father, Richard Belcher, died in 1987.

Public calling hours will be held Weekday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Longaberger Alumni House impact the OSU campus.

A memorial service want to friends of the Spielman cover will take place Tuesday at 3 United Methodist Church in Marble Cliff.

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