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Stefanie Spielman, wife of Chris, dies age 42, breast cancer
Posted on 11/19/09 at 10:00 pm
Posted on 11/19/09 at 10:00 pm
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Stefanie Spielman, whose public battle against breast cancer gripped central Ohio for more than a decade, died Thursday. She was 42.
Spielman and her husband, Chris, tirelessly raised breast cancer awareness and helped form Stefanie's Champions, raising millions of dollars for Ohio State's James Cancer Hospital.
In 1998, at 31, a biopsy confirmed her fears, that she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and the couple began their battle.
Without hesitation, Chris Spielman put his career on hold with the NFL's Buffalo Bills to be at his wife's side.
"For me, to leave (Stefanie) in Columbus and go play football in Buffalo would be against everything I stood for," Chris Spielman said.
"It meant the world to me," Stefanie Spielman said. "That's been the hardest part -- seeing him give up what he loves -- the best, for me."
The Spielmans said that they had two options when they learned about the cancer. The first was to quit. The second was to come out and fight the disease.
The couple fought with determination and a deep love.
Even talk show host Oprah Winfrey was moved by their story.
"You are about to hear an extraordinary story of love and devotion," Winfrey said at the start of her show. "What a man. What a woman."
Stefanie Spielman's story inspired others, 10TV's Andrea Cambern reported.
"Stefanie's Champions" would honor those, like Chris Spielman, who go above and beyond to help a friend or loved one get through a difficult time and care for a cancer patient.
One year after her breast cancer diagnosis, the Spielman's life was back on track.
"It feels like our life has gotten back to normal," she said. "That's how it's always been. (Chris has) been the one in the limelight and we've been there to support him, to love him, to cheer him on."
Doctors said there were no signs of the cancer and Chris planned to return to the NFL.
"It's so exciting for me and very emotional for me because I feel like we've been given a second chance," Stefanie Spielman said.
She did not let up. Her goal to raise money and awareness seemed to intensify with the second chance. Stefanie would run in the Race For The Cure and walk with college students.
"At the college level, I don't think (students) think about breast cancer but this is proof that they do," she said.
More good news came for the family. Macy Lynn Spielman was born.
She was the third of four children.
By all accounts, the Spielmans had taken on cancer and won. But in 2001, a serious setback occurred when a spot was found in Stefanie's lungs.
"We're going to fight this and do the best we can and we'll be together, no matter what," Chris Spielman said.
Cancer is a formidable foe. It sleeps and then surfaces before the battle begins again.
Chris Spielman was back on full duty as Stefanie's champion.
"Stefanie has shown me (that) this is an opportunity to make a difference again," Chris Spielman said. "I don't know why (and) don't want to ask why but this is an opportunity to make a difference again."
The Spielmans raised even more money for research and programs at The James, more than $6.5 million to date.
They visited the research labs at Ohio State to see exactly where donations would go. Stefanie saw firsthand how the money raised would help her and others battling the disease.
The battle continued for years, Cambern reported.
The last time that 10TV News sat down with Stefanie Spielman was in November 2008, when 10TV News anchorwoman Heather Pick died of the disease. The two were close friends. Stefanie spoke about Heather but it was clear that the sentiments were hers, too.
"Sometimes (Heather) felt it was a blessing to have a disease that put our mortality right in your face and let you live life in a different way (while) fully understanding that we're only here on earth for a certain amount of time and enjoying it and never taking anything for granted," Stefanie Spielman said.
Chris Spielman stood by himself at this year's Stefanie's Champions event. His love and life partner was not well enough to be by his side.
She was by his side, though, when Chris was recognized at Ohio Stadium on Sept. 5 during halftime of Ohio State's season opener. The crowd and his wife cheered his accomplishments, both on and off the field.
"Not many people get a chance to recognize their mission in life and Stefanie's mission has obviously been to be a proponent for breast cancer research," Chris Spielman said. "So this has been and certainly will continue to be an honorable quest we're on."
Survivors include her husband of 20 years: Chris; and their four children: Madison (15), Noah (13), Macy (8) and Audrey (7); mother, Myra Belcher of Upper Arlington; sisters Sue (Bill) Fitz of Upper Arlington, Sandy Belcher of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. and Cindy Belcher of Bangor, Calif. Stefanie's father, Richard, preceded her in death in 1987
Posted on 11/19/09 at 10:09 pm to Eurocat
I was just reading about this earlier. RIP.
Posted on 11/19/09 at 10:15 pm to Eurocat
It seemed like she was getting better in recent years, then about a year ago, it started getting bad again. Very sad. RIP.
Posted on 11/19/09 at 10:29 pm to Buckeye Fan 19
Very sad news; she was a special person who truly made a difference for breast cancer awareneess in central Ohio.
Posted on 11/19/09 at 10:35 pm to jt696
Man... F$ck cancer. Sad story. RIP
Posted on 11/19/09 at 11:26 pm to artiger
What a sad day here in Columbus and Buckeyeland!! The Spielman's are VERY big figures here in Central Ohio and this will be felt hard. I just wonder what kind of affect this will have on the team? Knowing the kind of person Chris Spielman is, he will probably be in the locker room Saturday in Ann Arbor to get the boys ready to go. Wouldnt that be a site to see? RIP Stefanie Spielman!!!
GO BUCKS!!!!
GO BUCKS!!!!
Posted on 11/20/09 at 4:02 am to Eurocat
That's very sad. I followed her battles pretty closely through this thing my mom receives for Breast Cancer survivors. I was under the impression she was doing better recently. RIP.
Posted on 11/20/09 at 7:30 am to Michael J Cocks
And the government just came out and said women don't need mammograms until age 50!
Posted on 11/20/09 at 8:02 am to Eurocat
With young kids myself around the same age, I just can't imagine. Definitely puts things into perspective.
Posted on 11/20/09 at 8:07 am to tress4pres
Wow this is terrible news. Chris would have been on the road because he was set to do the Minnesota game this week...I listen to him on the radio everyday. Just terrible news...I wonder how The Fan is going to be today
Posted on 11/20/09 at 10:30 am to SprintFun
quote:
Without hesitation, Chris Spielman put his career on hold with the NFL's Buffalo Bills to be at his wife's side.
"For me, to leave (Stefanie) in Columbus and go play football in Buffalo would be against everything I stood for," Chris Spielman said.
"It meant the world to me," Stefanie Spielman said. "That's been the hardest part -- seeing him give up what he loves -- the best, for me."
That's a good man right there.
Posted on 11/20/09 at 10:47 am to DrSteveBrule
I got to meet Chris a few times and always a nice guy. I remember how sad he was when he read the eulogy for Eric Andolsek's funeral
Posted on 11/20/09 at 10:51 am to Eurocat
Man in all seriousness....frick Cancer. My wife is a hospice nurse and has to deal with that shite everyday, and it really just amazes me how many people die from it.
Posted on 11/20/09 at 10:53 am to COACH ROD
Chris is one of the most passionate people I know when it comes to football and really life in general. I know Stefanie was the same way...the way he spoke of her and her courage through it all was really touching.
Posted on 11/20/09 at 11:03 am to Eurocat
Condolences to the Spielman family.
Further proof from that old Billy Joel tune that Only the Good Die Young.
Further proof from that old Billy Joel tune that Only the Good Die Young.
Posted on 11/20/09 at 11:46 am to COTiger
Agreed with everything everyone has said on here. I lost my mother to cancer back in 2001 at the age of 55. Her foundation is great and was an inspriration to all. Someday, I hope that this damn cancer will be defeated!
Godspeed to her and the Speilman family.
Godspeed to her and the Speilman family.
Posted on 11/20/09 at 12:18 pm to Muahahaha
The Fan is brutal today. Right now the Big Show is on, which is Spielman's show he's on. People are calling in - Hooley is actually not being a jackass. Very somber stuff.
Posted on 11/20/09 at 1:14 pm to Kracka
Kracka,
I lost my Mom to cervical cancer last year. Cancer does suck. I hope that ABC does a tribute to her on the air tomorrow during the Michigan-Ohio State game. I believe Chris works for ABC, so I think that would be nice.
RIP
I lost my Mom to cervical cancer last year. Cancer does suck. I hope that ABC does a tribute to her on the air tomorrow during the Michigan-Ohio State game. I believe Chris works for ABC, so I think that would be nice.
RIP
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