iStock/Thinkstock(CINCINNATI) — After a 15-month battle with cancer, 19-year-old freshman basketball player Lauren Hill died on Friday morning.
Hill, of Mount St. Joseph University, inspired many with her journey of getting back on the court, despite a tumor in her brain.
Hill co-founded The Cure Starts Now, a company that has raised more than $1.5 million for cancer research.
“Through Lauren’s fundraising and advocacy efforts, she not only became a spotlight on the lack of funding for cancer research, but she most certainly has become a beacon guiding researchers for years to come,” The Cure Starts Now co-founder Brooke Desserich said.
“She’s made an impact on the world, more so than me — more than I ever will do,” her coach, Dan Benjamin, said. “I’ve gotten so many emails and phone calls from all over the world. People are contacting me because they want to share her story.”
Hill scored the first basket of the game 17 seconds in, and the last basket at a sold-out Xavier University on Nov. 2.
Even during her last days, Hill remained positive and reminded everyone to appreciate life.
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