Lauren Hill, a girl who, despite her terminal illness, was determined to play college basketball, passed away on April 10, 2015 at the age of 19. She leaves behind an inspiring legacy.
Despite her condition, she was determined to play at least one college game. Her dream came true: Hill played at Mount St. Joseph’s season opener in November 2014 (ahead of schedule thanks to the NCAA). She scored the final point and helped her team beat Hiram College.
Not too long after she turned 18, Hill was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. But the Indiana native didn’t give up playing basketball, and she refused to put her life on hold.
“I never gave up for a second even when they told me that I have a terminal diagnosis,” she told Cincinnati’s WKRC. “I never for a second thought about sitting down and not living life anymore.”
Even in her difficult time, Hill was still thinking of others — she said she wanted to bring awareness to her disease.
“I'm so happy that people know about it now and that we can get some research going and hopefully find that home run cure for cancer," she told USA Today. "And even though I'm probably not going to be around to see it, it's going to help a lot of people. And that's why we need to keep staying with this and not end it with this game, and keep supporting research."
The brave teen will never be forgotten.
Please SHARE Lauren Hill’s inspirational story with everyone you know.
Chicago Bulls player Paul Gasol remembers Lauren Hill.
As did Tulsa Shock's Skylar Diggins.
Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James also chimed in.
ESPN reporter Darren Rovell shared beautiful words for Lauren.
