TimTaylor751647545500 Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 Very sad day...kind of puts things into perspective. Stefanie Spielman, Cancer Fighter, Dies at 42 Thursday, November 19, 2009 6:45 PM Print Story E-mail Story 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." Funeral arrangements were pending. Stay with 10TV News and refresh 10TV.com for continuing coverage. http://www.10tv.com/live/content/local/stories/2009/11/19/story-stefanie-spielman.html?sid=102 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verse Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 Wow. That is so shitty. She did so much for cancer research it's horrible to see this happen. Fuck cancer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billiumss Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 That is very sad. Just think, some health panel raised the checkup to 50 years of age. Sure makes sense to me.. not... It should be 30, Spielman was 31. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimTaylor751647545500 Posted November 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 Moving statements from Chris http://www.abc6onyourside.com/shared/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wsyx_vid_1424.shtml Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
excell Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 How incredibly sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTQ B4U Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 Very, very sad. Cancer has taken a number of my family members. My mother is currently battling breast cancer and my brother Tom was taken young too. I find it amazing they are trying to tell women age 50. My aunt died at age 33 and my brother contracted it at 32. IMO, you're never too young to begin keeping an eye out on your health. Chris and Stephanie are heros in my book. God bless the family and children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DKilbourne Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 Heard this about an hour ago. Terrible news. Those two have done more for cancer research and awareness than most of us could ever imagine. Chris visited a friend of mine in his fight and that is one of the images that I'll never forget. I hate cancer. It has taken too many that I love. Hopefully someday we/they will understand it better and find a cure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave1647545494 Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 R.I.P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SinisterSS Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 guy at my work lost his wife last week to cancer, she worked and NTR and raced a super comp dragster, Cancer is a bitch R.I.P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramsey Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 That sucks always love the Spielmans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sol740 Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 Fuck cancer. Yes indeed. Fuck it right in the ear. Sad news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8 Beast Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 So sad to hear, she fought it like a champ though. Cancer took my grandfather when I was young and my dad earlier this year... fuck cancer indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Putty Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 RIP! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pedro1647545510 Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 rip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Cranium Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 Damn, sorry to hear it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrblunt Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 Just horrible news. My wife nearly came to tears over this. We both lost our mothers to cancer recently so its a very sad subject in our house. On a side note......Nearly everyone I know has been affected by cancer. Knowing that, and what your genetically predisposed to, why would a health panel's decision have any weight on your choice to get tested or self test?? Do you really leave your health up to someone else? After losing my grandfather a few years ago the first thing I did was head to the doctors for a checkup to make sure everything was ok with my body. I could care less what someone else recommends. Your body is your temple and your responsibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verse Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 guy at my work lost his wife last week to cancer, she worked and NTR and raced a super comp dragster, Cancer is a bitch R.I.P Her son also works with me at Saturn. I created a collection to help Nick out during his unpaid time from work, someone did it for me last year when my mom died of cancer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 The argument is that self breast examinations create to many false positives, and incure expenses that are not necessary, thats the breif version, and unfortunatly the data does suggest this. Infact in 40-50 women only 1-1300 mamogrames are cancerous, but of those 1300 there is a signifgent number of false posistives, which are again incurring expensive costs, and as Barack would say, waste in the health care system. I am not advacating this methodolgy mearly stating my reasearch as my mother is currently in the process of getting biopsy results soon, and I choose that education and knowledge will be our best weapon. Sad for the spielmans, she was a wonderful women. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erica Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 R.I.P. Stephanie, you touched my heart! The Speilman family went to my church, Stephanies faith was undeundeniably strong. She cared deeply for everyone she met. She will be missed 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 For the past ten years, I've thought that the only person I know that was tougher than Chris Spielman was his wife. Her efforts helped to save my moms life. Rest well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramsey Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 I want pink ribbons on the helmets and what not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitchsY2kGT Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 So sad!!! RIP My heart goes out to the ones that she has left behind, they will have a very big void in there life! My thoughts will be with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallard Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 The argument is that self breast examinations create to many false positives, and incure expenses that are not necessary, thats the breif version, and unfortunatly the data does suggest this. Infact in 40-50 women only 1-1300 mamogrames are cancerous, but of those 1300 there is a signifgent number of false posistives, which are again incurring expensive costs, and as Barack would say, waste in the health care system. I am not advacating this methodolgy mearly stating my reasearch as my mother is currently in the process of getting biopsy results soon, and I choose that education and knowledge will be our best weapon. Sad for the spielmans, she was a wonderful women. I would rather go through the stress and expense of a false positive then bury my head in the sand and pretend it's not going to happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billiumss Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 The argument is that self breast examinations create to many false positives, and incure expenses that are not necessary, thats the breif version, and unfortunatly the data does suggest this. Infact in 40-50 women only 1-1300 mamogrames are cancerous, but of those 1300 there is a signifgent number of false posistives, which are again incurring expensive costs, and as Barack would say, waste in the health care system. I am not advacating this methodolgy mearly stating my reasearch as my mother is currently in the process of getting biopsy results soon, and I choose that education and knowledge will be our best weapon. Sad for the spielmans, she was a wonderful women. Better safe than sorry. With breast cancer very common, there is no reason to increase to age 50. So let me ask you this, say a 35 year old woman asks her doctor for the test, he says no because your not "old" enough. You then call your insurance company and they say no because your not old enough for the test. You request a letter stating this and get one. 6 months - 1 year goes by and said woman ends up with the begining stages of breast cancer, should the woman be able to sue the insurance company? I say yes. Insurance companys suck when it comes to saving your lives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverhatch Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 So sad to hear, RIP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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