Lauren Hill receives courage award, is feted in team's year-end banquet

By foxsports
Published

Lauren Hill continues her brave fight against brain cancer. This week, the Mount St. Joseph freshman's contributions and inspiration crossed state boundaries.

Ohio Governor John Kasich announced on Tuesday that Hill was one of the recipients of this year's Governor's Courage Award — despite her being from Indiana. Kasich said he was compelled to recognize the college basketball player for her perseverance and refusal to concede to her disease, WKRC in Cincinnati reported.

Also on Tuesday, Hill's fellow Mount St. Joseph players came together to visit their teammate in the hospital for the team's end of the year banquet. It was another milestone for Hill, who played her first college basketball game on Nov. 2. 

"I can't believe it's been so long since the first game," Hill told WKRC-TV. "I can't believe it's been five months." 

Her teammates agreed.

"I wish everyone had a chance to sit and talk with Lauren and see how truly amazing she is," Katie Maus told WKRC. "Just by saying, 'Oh hi, how are you?' She always puts you first."

As her need for medical care increased in the past month, Lauren's message still shines through. 

"Day by day I hope my message has resided through everyone, that just even more that it's precious every amount of time you get with someone no material item matters," Hill said. "Every moment you get with someone is a moment that is blessed, really blessed."