Her goal to live long enough to play college basketball came true earlier this month, after the NCAA allowed her small, Division III college team in western Cincinnati to move their first game earlier so she could play in her first, and last, college game. Video of her making her first layup is inspiring millions, and her cause has gotten the attention of such basketball superstars as LeBron James and the Harlem Globetrotters.
The game played at Xavier’s arena in Cincinnati drew 10,000 fans. That alone was a big shock, since she said the biggest crowd she’d ever played for was 80 fans.
Now that Lauren has likely played her last game, although she’s not ruling out another one if she’s up to it, she’s turning to a social media campaign to raise money and awareness of the disease that will ultimately take her life.
Through the hashtag #Layup4Lauren, the word is getting out. Donations are coming in and videos of people performing their layups are spreading across the county. Xavier University donated nearly $60,000 to the research fund, money from ticket and merchandise sales.
Online reports indicate over $300,000 has been donated for treatment and research.
Glamour named 50 women who are making a difference, including those who support abused women, teens who need mentors, an endangered Hawaiian bird advocate and a rodeo champ.
In a recent interview with the Associated Press, Hill said she’s now taking it one day at a time.
“I’m just worried about spending time with my family right now and trying to get to Thanksgiving,” she said. “You know, just living in the moment.”