Stefanie Spielman dies of breast cancer

UPPER ARLINGTON, Ohio, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Former NFL player Chris Spielman said his wife, Stefanie, died in Upper Arlington, Ohio, after battling breast cancer five times. She was 42.

Chris Spielman said his wife, who established Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research to help fight the dreaded cancer, died Thursday in their home, The Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch reported Friday.

"Stefanie has gone home to be with the lord," the former Pro Bowl linebacker for the Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills said. "For that, we celebrate, but with broken hearts. I want to thank everyone for their support ... Together, with your help, hopefully we made a difference in this fight."

Stefanie Spielman's battle with breast cancer began in 1998 when she was initially diagnosed at the age of 30.

"I know there's a reason God gave me breast cancer, and I'm supposed to do something with it," she said that same year.

The Dispatch said Spielman is survived by her husband, Chris; her children, Madison, 15, Noah, 13, Macy, 8, and Audrey, 7; her mother, Myra Belcher; and her sisters, Susan (William) Fitz, Sandy Belcher and Cindy Belcher.