Lauren Hill's legacy: Impact still felt 2 years since 19-year-old’s passing

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - Monday marks two years since the passing of 19-year-old Lauren Hill.

The young woman from Lawrenceburg, Indiana raised awareness of DIPG, the rare form of brain cancer that claimed her life in 2015.

Lauren's public battle with cancer started with her desire to play one college basketball game.

It turned into a mission to save others from her fate and two years after her death, progress and healing is slow.

Her locker at Mount Saint Joes is still decorated as a shrine to #22, complete with the net from that first layup.

Coach Dan Benjamin is having his best recruiting year yet and his message to them comes from her.

“Not everything is going to go your way, may not be starter, may not be stud, but part of something special something special and that's what Lauren taught us is be part of something special and bigger than what you are,” said Coach Dan.

With that goal in mind, Lauren was able to raise more than $1million for DIPG research before her death and to date in her name that number has more than doubled.

“We paid for $2.3 million of research and it's changing what they know about DIPG because our daughter said this was unacceptable and she was willing to be a voice,” said Lauren’s father, Brent Hill.

It's that voice that brings “Dad” to tears.

"Think for me the biggest thing is constant hugs aren't there anymore couldn't get through the house without a hug an I miss that a lot,” said Brent Hill.

Brent still works with P&G and his wife Lisa is now full time with The Cure Starts Now, so heartache is a battle shared daily with families around the country.

"I support them or they support me during whatever, it's nice to be around those people,” said Lauren’s mother, Lisa.

There is a Lauren Hill Endowment Scholarship that MSJ will give out this year to keep alive the memories that you sometimes wish would fade.

"Say goodbye, toughest things to do, sit by a player’s hospital bed and try to let go… never goes away… no… never will,” said Coach Dan.

Her mission was to make sure no one would ever forget.

"I mean I wanna see someone survive this… get married… have kids… if I can see that before I’m gone it would all have been worth it,” said Brent Hill.

Thanks to Local 12, the sales of the documentary "Play for 22" have raised more than $22,000.

Copies of those DVDs are still available at LayupforLauren.org

Видео Lauren Hill's legacy: Impact still felt 2 years since 19-year-old’s passing канала LOCAL 12