Buckeye Nation Remembers Stefanie Spielman
11/21/2009
The Buckeye family lost a very valuable member on November 19. Stefanie Spielman, wife of All-American and former NFL Buckeye great Chris Spielman, lost her battle with cancer at the age of 42.
Stefanie was fighting off her fifth bout with cancer since her diagnosis in 1998. With full support and assistance from her husband, the Spielmans helped raise awareness about breast cancer in the greater Columbus area as well as nationwide.
Stefanie dedicated the later years of her life to the fight against breast cancer as her and her husband became well known advocates of breast cancer detection and awareness. The couple was recognized with several awards for their support of breast cancer research.
Chris Spielman, while playing with the Buffalo Bills, decided to take a year off football to be with his wife and children, and has not returned since. When Stefanie lost her hair to chemotherapy treatments, Chris shaved his head in support of his wife’s battle.
Stefanie was inducted into the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame in 2002 for her relentless work. Over $6 million has been raised since the birth of the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research.
Stefanie was a strong and courageous woman who looked past her own problems to help other families that were struggling financially with breast cancer treatments and bills. She held an annual event for cancer survivors and formed a large support group for young women dealing with breast cancer.
“We have lost a leader in the fight against cancer," seven-time Tour de France winner and cancer survivor was quoted. "Stefanie was a living example of courage and strength to everyone around her."
Her legacy was displayed for the nation to see today as the OSU football team donned a decal on each of their helmets with a pink Buckeye leaf over the letter SS in their victory against Michigan.
The Ohio State community has been devastated by this loss, but the Buckeye athletic family will rally and continue supporting her cause.
“While cancer may have taken her body, she proved it couldn’t take her spirit,” said OSU women’s softball head coach Linda Kalafatis of Stefanie. “She is a great loss to our community, but her legacy will certainly live on throughout the Buckeye state.”
The women’s softball team is just one of many Buckeye groups that assisted Stefanie in raising funds for breast cancer research. The OSU softball team will continue to honor Stefanie by hosting the Ohio Collegiate Charity Classic softball tournament each fall. Stefanie’s search for a cure will continue with the events and funds she helped to create.
Stefanie Spielman leaves behind her husband Chris and four children, Audrey, Macy, Noah and Madison.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this article.
By Kim Reeder, a current OSU communication major.