PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Inspiration can come from many places.

For one die-hard Steelers fan in Colorado, her inspiration in a battle for her life came from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Roethlisberger has been in some tough spots as an NFL quarterback, but few as hard as what a fan named Julia Pollock is facing in Colorado.

Big Ben sent a video message to Julia when he learned about her battle with cancer.

Here’s how Julia describes her situation in a note to Ben’s website:

“I battled breast cancer in 2010. In January 2011, I thought I had won the battle, but unfortunately I had not. The cancer is now in my spine and affecting my brain. They say it is terminal. I’m 38-years-old and refuse to accept that. I still have so much I need to do.”

In a video on YouTube, Ben offered his support.

“It’s a beautiful day outside. I just wanted to send you a quick note to say that I appreciate your support and wanted to send you a quick note saying I am thinking about you and support you and am praying for you. Keep your chin up and the Lord works in mysterious ways — and uh, thinking about you and hope you have a great day because it’s a beautiful day,” Roethlisberger said.

The best part is Julia’s family videotaped her watching Ben’s personal message from her hospital bed in Colorado.

When Ben’s 25-second video message wrapped up, this was her immediate reaction:

“Oh my gosh! Are you serious? How’d they get that?” Pollock said.

Julia later described how the message touched her.

“When I received the message, I was in the hospital and I swear that was the moment I realized I had to fight like I was playing those dumb Ravens in a playoff game. After 52 days bed-ridden in the hospital, I am home with my family in Brighton, Colo. I’m getting stronger every day. I guess you could say this is my training camp,” Pollock said.

There’s one more thing to make Julia feel better as well.

Her sister got her tickets to watch Ben in person when the Steelers visit Denver in the regular season opener on Sept. 9.

RELATED LINKS

More Local News
More Reports From Rick Dayton