It’s been a while since I’ve done a Motivation Monday, but I wanted to share the story of Lauren Hill.  You’ve probably already heard of her.  But if not, check out her story.

Lauren is a college freshman.  Last October, she was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), a rare pediatric brain cancer that usually strikes children under the age of 7.  In September, she was told that she only has months to live.

But rather than curl up in a ball and cry or retreat into her family, Lauren is spending her final months raising awareness and raising funds for research into this cancer that has no cure.

Lauren did have one thing she wanted to do though.  She wanted to play college basketball.  She had been signed to Mount St. Joseph prior to her diagnosis, and when she found out that she had months to live, the opening game was moved up a few weeks so Lauren could play.  She only played a few minutes, and the team ran a play that they had planned with the other team to allow Lauren to score during the game.  But this day was about more than allowing a young woman to achieve her dream.  The story grabbed attention from around the world.

Not only has Lauren succeeded in her goal of playing her first college game (and three more after), she has done an amazing job raising awareness.  Fundraisers have popped up all over the country in her name.

Lauren has officially retired from college basketball, as she won’t be enrolling in the spring semester of school, but she will continue as an honorary coach with the team.  She has already raised $700,000 for The Cure Starts Now Foundation.  Here’s hoping she makes her goal of $1 million by the end of the year.

By Megan

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