Chris Spielman's Wife Stefanie Passes Away From Breast Cancer

Stefanie Spielman, the wife of former Buckeye and current ESPN analyst Chris Spielman, passed away from breast cancer Thursday night at age 42. She previously survived four recurrences before the fifth was discovered in March. Together, they raised more than $6 million for breast cancer research at Ohio State via the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research.

More from AP:

Chris Spielman was playing linebacker with the Buffalo Bills when he decided to give up football for a year to stay home with his wife and children. When his wife lost her hair because of chemotherapy treatments, he shaved his head.

“People say ’It’s a great thing that you’re doing,’” Chris Spielman said at the time. “I always say it would be a terrible thing if I didn’t.”

The Spielmans became advocates for breast-cancer detection and research, winning several awards for their dedication to the cause. […]

She helped form a support group for young women with breast cancer, hosted an annual event that honored cancer survivors and created a fund to help breast cancer patients and their families who struggled financially. She was inducted into the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame in 2002 for her work.

“We have lost a leader in the fight against cancer,” seven-time Tour de France winner and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong said. “Stefanie was a living example of courage and strength to everyone around her.”

For more info about the Spielman Fund, including how to donate, visit the official website.