The idea for Stefanie’s Champions, the annual award honoring four superstar caregivers, came from Stefanie Spielman in 2000 during her inspiring cancer journey. “She was really looking for a unique way to honor the caregivers in the lives of cancer patients and the sacrifices they make,” says Maddie Spielman, the daughter of Stefanie and Chris Spielman. Maddie works in the development office of the OSUCCC – James, raising funds for cancer research and organizing events such as the annual Step Up for Stefanie’s Champions 4-mile or 1-mile walk/run that benefits the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research. The fund has raised more than $23 million. This year, the 5th Annual Step Up For Stefanie’s Champions event will be a virtual run/walk due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “The cool thing this year is you don’t have to do it on one day,” Maddie says. “You can register online and walk or run one or four miles between June 6 and July 5.” The registration fee is $20, and every dollar goes to cancer research at the Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center at the OSUCCC – James. Participants are encouraged to raise additional funds. Traditionally, four Stefanie’s Champions are honored each year at the event. This year, though, their stories will be shared online on the OSUCCC – James blog, and on The James Cancer-Free World Podcast on June 16 in a special two-part episode co-hosted by Chris and Maddie. Stefanie Spielman passed away in 2009, but her legacy lives on in many ways, including all the people who continue to spread her message of hope, courage and the importance of cancer research. “My mom’s legacy is when I have a stranger come up to me and share that they’re on the earth today because of something my mom said or did,” Maddie says. “For her to have such a lasting impact on so many people shows what an incredible person she was. I see it every day in my job and it motivates me.” Chris Spielman says that Maddie, Noah, Macy and Audrey — the children he and Stefanie raised — is the legacy he most cherishes. “For the rest of the world, her legacy is simple — what you give will grow and what you keep you will lose,” Chris says. “She constantly gave, and by her giving, that grew and spread and prospered.” Chris was the first recipient of the Stefanie’s Champions Award in 2000. Through the care he provided for Stefanie, including his decision to sit out a year of NFL football to be there for his wife and family, and his involvement in the cancer community, Chris has learned a great deal about being a caregiver. “If you’re the sole caretaker, sometimes it can feel like nobody else can understand what you’re feeling right now — it’s overwhelming and scary,” Chris says. “What I’ve learned is other people know exactly what I know and how I’m feeling and understand the fear and what it’s like on scan day and waiting for that call from the doctor with the results.” Other lessons he has learned are to ask for and accept help from family and friends, and that there’s no one way to be a great caregiver. “It’s whatever works for that person and their family and friends,” Chris says, adding that the most important ingredient in caregiving is simple. “It’s just love. It’s what you do when you love someone.”