Lauren Hill

Doctors predicted that Lauren Hill would not live until Christmas 2014.
But she lived to crown her successor as her high school’s homecoming queen.
Lauren Hill (left) as basketball homecoming queen as a senior at Lawrenceburg High School in 2014 and (right) after crowning the new queen, Paxton Parris, in 2015.

“Legacy of Hill lives on”
(Camp Lejeune Globe — April 23, 2015)
She was a basketball player — an athlete.  She scored legitimate points for her junior college. But more importantly, she scored a lot of points in life.
At her public funeral, her picture was adorned with a quote from Christopher Reeve — “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”

“Lauren Hill, terminally ill college basketball player, dies”
(CNN — April 10, 2015)
An assistant coach read a quote from Hill:
“I encourage everyone to cherish every moment with no worry about the past or anxiety about the future.  Because the next moment is never promised.  Never leave anything unsaid.  I have learned to see the blessings in every moment and through every struggle, no matter how tough it might be.  Nothing holds me back from living my life and chasing my dreams.  I always finish what I start and see it through to the end.  Never give up on your dreams.  Find something to fight for; I fight for others.”

“Lauren Hill (1995-2015)”
(Source: WKRC — April 10, 2015)
On her 18th birthday, she committed to playing basketball at Mount St. Joseph College.  The terminal diagnosis followed 49 days later — diffused Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG).

“LeBron James — Farewell Letter to Lauren Hill…You’ll Never Be Forgotten”
(TMZ — April 10, 2015)
“Dear Lauren Hill,
You are the true definition of strength, courage, power leadership, etc. etc! Your time spend on earth will never be forgotten.
I [hate] that I never got the chance to meet you in person but know you inspired me the whole time! For every life u touched, u made the biggest impact of them by just being YOU!!!
You’re in a far better place now and please don’t have too much fun up there w/o all your family and friends.
Can u please tell my Grandma I said hello. Don’t be afraid, she knows you cause we spoke about u plenty of times. Until we officially meet again, take care and continue to be that LEADER we all love!
#RIP Lauren Hill
Sincerely,
LeBron James”

“Lauren Hill ‘became everyone’s daughter'”
(Cincinnati Enquirer — April 10, 2015)
Numbers can’s begin to define a life, but Lauren Hill’s are amazing.  Lauren’s battle with cancer ended Friday, but she didn’t lose.

“Terminally Ill Basketball Player Lauren Hill, Who Played at NCAA Game, Dies”
(People Magazine — April 10, 2015)
Lauren Hill, the 19-year-old terminally ill college athlete who tirelessly raised over $1.5 million for cancer research died on Friday. ..In November, the NCAA agreed to move up a basketball game so that she could play in it after doctors gave her until December to live.