I have always tried to live each day like it's my last. I try to be happy and help people as much as I can. But I am human, and sometimes I have bad days, just like everyone else. Some days I am selfish, sassy, and uptight. But then there are days where I want to be something more.
I want to do more in my life.
I want to leave my mark on this earth and whole heartedly know that I impacted others' lives for the better. That is exactly what Lauren Hill did. A girl that I never knew and who's story I only recently came across. But her story touched millions of hearts, as well as mine. Lauren was a collegiate basketball player for Mount St. Joseph's women's basketball team. After her 18th birthday and shortly after committing to playing basketball she was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). I had never heard of this illness before and was shocked to discover that it is most common found in children ages 5 to 10. It is a brain tumor that starts in the brain stem and is inoperable.
But Lauren Hill was not defined by having cancer, she was remembered for her high spirit and her willingness to keep living. She was defined by her drive to make everyday count and to keep pushing forward.
Lauren was given at most 2 years left to live after her diagnosis, and in that short time, she did more than most people accomplish in a lifetime. She passed away at the age of 19 on April 10, 2015, after living her dream of playing college basketball and inspiring others to do the same. Not only was it her dream to play college basketball but also to shed light on what DIPG is. She wanted to explain what she was going through for all thechildren who couldn't. Lauren started a charity to raise money and awareness for DIPG called Layup 4 Lauren.
Lauren raised more than $1.5 million for cancer research.
I want to live a life like Lauren did. Researching her story and seeing all the things she's done has made me reflect on what I've done in my life. It makes me want to do more. It has put some perspective in my life because I am 19 years old. Lauren was my age and she accomplished more than I can ever dream of. Lauren has reminded me that anyone can make a difference.
Your attitude and what you do is what defines who you are.
I hope to be like Lauren, I hope to inspire others to be better and do more. I hope to always smile even when life gets hard and push others to do the same. I hope to live a life like Lauren Hill did.
What do you hope for?
