Lauren Hill's life was short, but her legacy will be long.
The 19-year-old freshman basketball player's college debut received national attention after more than 10,000 fans came out to support Hill, shedding light on her struggle with cancer.
On Friday morning, news broke that Hill had died.
Tony Aretz, president of Mount St. Joseph University where Hill attended, said her "light will continue to shine on us all." Aretz urged supporters to take up Hill's cause in spreading awareness of childhood cancers. The university planned to hold a prayer service on campus Friday afternoon.
"We are forever grateful to have had Lauren grace our campus with her smile and determined spirit. She has left a powerful legacy. She taught us that every day is a blessing; every moment a gift," Aretz said in a statement.
Hill was first diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, a fast-spreading childhood brain cancer, in November 2013. But the determined athlete continued to play basketball during her senior year of high school, despite the fact that she was receiving radiation and chemotherapy.
Hill's own Twitter account offered some insight into her early battle with the disease. She showed a perseverance and drive to confront cancer head-on.
Next step starts today, bring it on#chemo#fightcancer#stupidcancergoawayrightnow— Lauren E. Hill (@ELehill2) February 13, 2014
"I'm spreading awareness and also teaching people how to live in the moment because the next moment's not promised," Hill told The Associates Press after one of her team's 6 a.m. practices late last year. "Anything can happen at any given moment. What matters is right now."
Cincinnati-based news outlet WCPO also offered a moving tribute to Hill on Friday:
But Hill's story resonated much further than the suburban Cincinnati campus of Mount St. Joseph or the Indiana town she called home. Hill's nonprofit foundation called Club 22 -- a reference to her basketball number -- helped raise more than $1.5 million for The Cure Starts Now Foundation, which is dedicated to childhood cancer research.
NBA star LeBron James joined other professional athletes in an outpouring of support for Hill and her family:
Until we officially meet again, take care and continue to be that LEADER we all love! #RIPLaurenHill Sincerely, LeBron James— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 10, 2015
Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson, a fellow No. 22, also offered his condolences, calling Hill an "incredible young lady" in a tweet:
#LaurenHill was a true inspiration and incredible young lady. She will always be remembered. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.— Fred Jackson (@Fred22Jackson) April 10, 2015
Basketball organizations, including the Women's National Basketball Association and the National Collegiate Athletic Association, posted tributes to Hill on their respective Twitter accounts.
Thank you Lauren Hill for inspiring us all. Your strength and tenacity will always be remembered. You live on in our hearts forever.— WNBA (@WNBA) April 10, 2015
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Lauren Hill. Her courage will never be forgotten. http://t.co/XMl0hLwWLQ pic.twitter.com/23mNCb62yQ— NCAA (@NCAA) April 10, 2015
The NCAA added that her courageous attitude would not soon be forgotten.
“Lauren Hill’s bravery, enthusiasm and strength were an inspiration not only to those who knew her best, but also to the millions of people she touched around the world by sharing her story," NCAA president Mark Emmert said in a statement. "Lauren achieved a lasting and meaningful legacy, and her beautiful spirit will continue to live on. Our hearts go out to her family, friends, teammates and coaches.”
The association had granted an exemption for MSJ's first game of the season to be played ahead of schedule, so Hill could participate. She was determined to play in a college basketball game, despite the fact that her condition had deteriorated. Hill's tumor had already begun to affect her right side, so she was forced to shoot a layup with her non-dominant hand during the game.
The crowd, full of local supporters, students and WNBA players, went wild when Hill scored.
Her battle with cancer also inspired the #Layup4Lauren social media campaign to raise funds for The Cure Starts Now. Participants would spin five times and try to do a layup with their non-dominant hand to mimic the affects of brain cancer, and then donate to the cause. Several NBA players took up the challenge.
In Hill's final interview with WCPO, it was clear that the disease was reaching its end. Although Hill maintained a sense of humor throughout her interview, she was candid about how hard it was to watch her family cope.
"It's not all sunshine and rainbows," Hill said as she spoke about the reality of cancer, while holding back tears. Despite all that her story did to galvanize support for cancer research, in the end, she was just a teenage girl trying to live despite the fact that she had only a few weeks left.
“It’s not a happy story … You can turn it into a happy story, which is good. That’s what you’re supposed to do. And you’re supposed to make the most of every moment, but it’s hard."
Additional reporting by The Associated Press