Former Lion Chris Spielman, has sadly lost his wife Stephanie Spielman to breast cancer.

Stephanie passed away Thursday after battling with the disease since first being diagnosed in 1998, it was reported by WBNS-TV in Ohio.

At first it looked hopeful for Spielman after a successful round of treatment for the disease, but unfortunately it  returned once again in 2001.

Her husband Chris Spielman originally took a year off from his NFL career when Stephanie was first diagnosed, the family then worked to raise awareness and money for breast cancer research.

Stephanie created Stephanie’s Champions a program that acknowledges patient caregivers. While also raising more than $6.5 million at the James Cancer Hospital at Ohio State for The Stephanie Spielman fund for Breast Cancer Research.

“She will be missed, but never forgotten. Her passion and commitment will live on for generations to come. She’s truly a champion,” Dr. Michael Caligiuri, chief executive of the James Cancer Hospital, said in a statement.

Stephanie once took the field in a wheelchair at Ohio Stadium when her husband was honored in September by the Ohio State, for his election to the College Football Hall of Fame.

Stephanie Spielman is survived by her husband and four children.