The college freshman who inspired the world with her courageous attitude toward the cancer that was slowly killing her, passed away today at the age of 19.

USAToday is reporting on the Indiana native who was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a rare form of brain cancer, at the age of 18. Even though DIPG is incurable, Lauren’s motto was “never give up” – and she didn’t.

In fact, it was her decision to play on the freshman basketball team at Mount St. Joseph College in spite of having an inoperable brain tumor that catapulted her into the national spotlight. Not only did she play in the team’s opening game against Franklin College, she scored two points.

“This was my dream, to score on this floor, and it felt amazing,” Lauren told WLWT at the time.

Her courage amazed everyone, including LeBron James, Billie Jean King and Pat Summitt who were among the many sports figures who paid tribute to her on social media after the game.

James’s ran a photo of Hill making her first layup on Instagram with the caption: “You are simply and truly “AMAZING” Lauren Hill!!! Thank you for inspiring me and I’ll try my best to match you! Congrats on your game. Also be looking out for a package from I to You! You’re Awesome!!!”

But only her doctor, Mariko DeWire, M.D., knew what that game cost her. A physician at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Dr. DeWire described the sufferings she endured to go out on the floor that day and play. For instance, loud noises affected her balance and bright lights bothered her. But she was determined to play and wore sunglasses and earplugs to help her get through it.

Everyone was amazed, and then inspired, by the girl’s grit and determination.

But she had her dark moments. “When I was diagnosed I remember kind of feeling lonely because nobody understood,” she admitted. “And now that more people know about this story and the awareness of DIPG. 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 added: “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.”

Lauren threw herself into fundraising for The Cure Starts Now and raised more than $1.4 million for DIPG research. Even more importantly, she raised awareness of the crippling disease that typically attacks young children.

“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 wrote on the organization’s Facebook page.

By March, her condition was starting to deteriorate. She was sleeping 12 hours a day and losing her appetite. Swallowing became so difficult her caregivers had to cut her food into bite-sized pieces to prevent her from choking. In addition, she suffered from painful headaches and body aches, but her sense of humor remained intact until the end.

Lauren Hill knew how precious life is and valued each moment she was given. “Day by day, I hope my message has resided through everyone – every moment you get with someone is a moment that [is] blessed, really blessed.”

And every moment we had with her was equally blessed.

May she rest in eternal peace.

Visit Lauren’s Facebook page here.

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