Lauren Hill is an inspiration. Photo via University Herald website.
Lauren Hill is one inspirational young woman who can make you smile and cry, all in the same five minutes. While she won’t be able to play basketball anymore, she will continue to be a part of the sports world as an honorary coach.
About Lauren Hill
In case you aren’t familiar with her, Lauren Hill is a teenager who had the dream to play basketball at the college level. While that dream itself may seem interesting enough, it is the perseverance that this 19 year old has shown to reach that goal in spite of having been diagnosed last year with an inoperable brain tumor that makes her extraordinary. In spite of her health issues, Hill made it to the college level for basketball, inspiring many people by reaching her dream.
It was only a few weeks after Hill reached the college basketball level that she spoke openly to the media about the rare tumor that is in her brain stem. Earlier this week, she was quoted as saying, “My body is shutting down – there’s nothing I can do.” She explains that while some moments she is strong, other moments she feels unsteady.
Her dream of playing college basketball came true in early November as she played with the Mount St. Joseph Team in Cincinnati, Ohio. She played while she was starting to undergo chemotherapy and radiation.
Honorary Coach Title for Lauren Hill
Now, Hill will be able to stay on the basketball team, this time as an honorary coach. While she will be on the bench now rather than playing on the court, she will still be able to be close to the sport that she loves. It is inspiring that this young woman has kept smiling and reaching for her dreams in spite of such a serious diagnosis.
Indeed, being told you have a tumor that is inoperable would bring many adults to their knees. While I am sure that Lauren Hill does have sad moments, as that is only to be expected, she continues to share her story honestly and to make the most of her days. While she certainly could stay in bed all day, she instead chooses to get up in the morning and take part in the sport that brings her happiness.
In addition to telling her story to the media to raise awareness about health conditions such as hers and offer hope to people around the world, Lauren Hill has also raised money for brain cancer research. To date, one of her campaigns has raised about $500,000 already for cancer research. She has conducted fundraisers, using her new position in the media spotlight to do good for many people. She is such a giving person; this attribute is readily apparent.
To Lauren, #22 on her basketball team, we are rooting you on for all of the good that you are doing! Find out more about Lauren’s challenge called Layup 4 Lauren at The Cure Starts Now Foundation.
©2014 Christy Birmingham
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