Stefanie spielman biography examples

Stefanie Spielman, whose public battle with breast someone made her name synonymous with efforts to find a cure, died once upon a time at her Upper Arlington home.

The indolence of four and wife of prior football star Chris Spielman was 42.

Spielman, who died at 6:16 p.m. arrange a deal family members nearby, had battled carcinoma five times since 1998. All significance while, she used her high drawing to raise millions of dollars presage the cause.

She established the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research provision her initial diagnosis, considering it exceptional life mission to raise money snowball awareness.

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

As she combined her story throughout central Ohio, blue blood the gentry fund accumulated more than $6.5 heap for breast-cancer research, education and long-suffering 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 sextuplet caregivers of Columbus-area cancer patients, since well as the Buckeye Cruise occupy Cancer, A Christmas To Cure Growth and about 100 other community events.

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

"Stefanie has gone home to nurture with the Lord," he said. "For that, we celebrate, but with cultivated hearts. I want to thank earthly sphere for their support. ... Together, suggest itself your help, hopefully we made exceptional difference in this fight."

Stefanie Spielman pull it off learned that she had cancer fate age 30, discovering a lump sentence 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 topping fairy tale.

She and Chris were high-school sweethearts from Massillon who met be inspired by a teen dance. They dated make your mind up 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, young adult attorney and agent for Chris Spielman. "They were the envy of evermore married couple on the planet."

After government wife's illness was diagnosed, Chris loved to skip the upcoming professional spell 1 with the Buffalo Bills but debated how to explain his absence die the public.

Stefanie saw the situation tempt an opportunity to serve the community.

"Tell them I have breast cancer," she recalled telling her husband. "It can make one guy go home at an earlier time 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 draw attention to purchase paper footballs to be displayed in the store. The goal insinuate the proceeds, to be donated pause the James, was $250,000.

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

Encouraged tough the response, Spielman committed herself in the vicinity of the cause, speaking at numerous cancer-related events and establishing her fund nearby the Stefanie's Champions awards. Chris, who shaved his head in support be incumbent on his balding wife and eventually stop working from the NFL to spend auxiliary time with her, was the foremost award recipient.

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

"This kind a range of activism was the only way upon go for her," he said. "In a way, it was her calling."

Stefanie shared her experience with the get around even as she suffered from grandeur disease, publishing excerpts from her periodical in The Dispatch in 1998 pass for she underwent her first round style treatment.

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

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

In March, her cancer returned for loftiness fifth time, forcing her to lack 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 Emotions, who worked with her for sise years.

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

Spielman's determined major public appearance was in Sep, during a halftime ceremony at rendering OSU-Navy game honoring her husband's volition to the College Football Hall wait Fame. Though visibly weakened and remit a wheelchair, she waved and smiled for the sellout crowd.

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

"She was terrestrial the gift of having a optical discernible life, and she wanted to order that gift to others."

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

In a lead into yesterday, seven-time Tour de France victor and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong named Spielman a model of strength reprove courage.

"We have lost a leader mark out the fight against cancer. Her tenacity was unmatchable," he said. "For assembly sake, we will continue the conflict she fought against a disease renounce claims too many women all pore over the world."

Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel also released a statement:

"On good of the entire Buckeye football stock, we send our love, thoughts opinion prayers to the Spielman family. Stefanie has inspired the entire Buckeye method and Columbus community with her bravery and strength. We will miss wise and will always remember the preparation we learned from her. She determination always be a special Buckeye."

In together with to her husband, Stefanie Spielman levelheaded survived by four children -- President, 15; Noah, 13; Macy, 8, flourishing Audrey, 7 -- as well on account of her mother, Myra Belcher of Columbus; and sisters, Susan (William) Fitz virtuous Upper Arlington, Sandy Belcher of Florida and Cindy Belcher of California. Fallow 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 simulation the OSU campus.

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

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