Lauren Hill’s Cruise for the Cure is scheduled to take place on May 20, 2017. The charity event will benefit Lauren’s Fight for Cure, an organization working to find a cure for a rare childhood cancer called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG).
Lauren Hill will forever be remembered as a hero who faced death with dignity and courage. Lauren was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer in November of 2013. She received the shocking news before the start of her senior basketball season at Lawrenceburg High School in Indiana, just six weeks after committing to play college basketball for Mount St. Joseph near Cincinnati, Ohio.
Lauren captured the hearts of millions, by working to raise awareness for the rare disease that ravaged her body. Shortly after Lauren’s 18th birthday, an MRI revealed that she had DIPG. Lauren’s prognosis was two years at best, amounting to what many would view as a death sentence. But Lauren didn’t see it that way. Lauren was determined to live her life, working to find the good in every moment. As a result, Lauren achieved greatness.
Lauren set out on a mission to be the voice for children who suffer with DIPG. Most DIPG patients are diagnosed at a much younger age than Lauren, and unfortunately, one of cruelest symptoms of DIPG is the loss of the ability to speak.
Lauren showed amazing courage when she teamed up with The Cure Starts Now Foundation to help bring awareness to DIPG. The Club 22 (named after Lauren’s jersey number) campaign was launched to help raise money that is desperately needed for research. Lauren challenged America to join Club 22 and make a monthly pledge to help fight childhood cancer.
Lauren’s determination to play college basketball while fighting her illness made national headlines. Shortly before the college season was set to begin in October of 2014, Lauren received bad news from her doctors. An MRI revealed that her tumor had grown, and she was not expected to make it until Christmas. An inspiring event would somehow develop from the grim news. Many people rushed to Lauren’s aid, working together to see to it that her dream of taking the court at the collegiate level would come true. The NCAA granted Mount St. Joseph University a waiver to open the Division III basketball season two weeks early so Lauren could play. The Hiram Terriers graciously gave up a home game so Lauren’s home crowd could attend. The event quickly grew, making a change of venue necessary. Xavier University opened their doors, assuring it to be a grand event. Over 10,000 tickets sold out in less than an hour.
Lauren scored the game’s first basket in her team’s 66-55 victory on that special afternoon. The packed house roared as Lauren drove to the basket, making a left-handed layup. At that given moment, Lauren’s basket was not just a layup, it was a shot heard around the world.
Lauren Hill passed away on April 10, 2015, after a courageous battle, but her legacy continues to live on. Charity efforts inspired by Lauren’s courage have now raised millions to fight childhood cancer. “Lauren’s Fight for Cure” continues, in Lauren’s honor, to fight to beat childhood cancer.
If you are a classic car and motorcycle fan in the Cincinnati area, “Lauren Hill’s Cruise for the Cure” is a great event to support. It’s an opportunity to admire classic cars and motorcycles and enjoy good food and music, all while supporting an important cause.
Lauren Hill’s Cruise for the cure will take place from 12 pm to 4 pm, on May 20, at the Coney Island Amusement Park in Cincinnati, Ohio. For more information, please contact Mark Katenkamp at 513-276-3017.
View Comments (1)
Thank you. Such an interesting article. I really liked her.