Wife of NFL and Ohio State football star, Stefanie Spielman passed away last night after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 42
Stefanie Spielman discovered the breast lump nearly 12 years ago while showering; she did visit her physician and was told that she had breast cancer. Unfortunately, Stephanie was also 3 months pregnant at the time and later miscarried. She underwent numerous treatments and then had the fifth recurrence in March of 2009. Despite intense chemotherapy, the cancer did eventually take her life.
Said Chris Spielman, her husband, “Stefanie has gone home to be with the Lord.”
Breast cancer in young women is not very common but when it does occur, it appears to be very aggressive say experts. Early detection is the only key to cure but unfortunately in many cases the cancer has spread.
Chris Spielman was in the prime of his life playing with the Buffalo Bills when he decided to give it all up for his wife and family. He even shaved his head when his wife lost her hair from chemotherapy. Chris and his wife eventually raised more than $6 million for the breast cancer foundation. Stephanie also helped form a support group for younger women with breast cancer and created a fund to help families who were not financially well off. For her noble work in charity, Stephanie was inducted into the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame in 2002.
Stephanie is survived by her husband and 4 children.