The NCAA granted Mount St. Joseph an exemption to play the game earlier than originally scheduled to accommodate the wish of Lauren Hill to achieve her dream of playing in one college basketball game. Lauren was diagnosed last October with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a form of brain cancer which is currently an incurable condition.
Because of the public’s overwhelming demand for tickets to the game, Xavier University officials offered the use of the Cintas Center, and tickets sold out within 30 minutes. To accommodate interest from those who missed the opportunity to purchase a game ticket, FOX Sports Ohio televised the game live. The carrying of the game was referenced by local and national media, from the Cincinnati Business Courier to USA Today & People Magazine.
FOXSportsOhio.com’s coverage of the event included a feature story, video of her first basket, an interview with her, and a photo gallery.
The game was also be available to all users on FOX Sports GO.
Lauren and her family selected The Cure Starts Now Foundation as the recipient of the funds raised. All proceeds will be provided to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center to continue support of their International DIPG registry. The registry’s primary goal is understanding the biology of DIPGs in the interest of developing more effective therapies and approaches to diagnosis, assessment and treatments that will improve patient outcomes. Donations to The Cure Starts Now can be made here: http://www.thecurestartsnow.org/heroes/163/
