Clarke Helps Out Brain Cancer Fundraiser

Clarke University is doing its part to help a Mount St. Joseph women’s basketball player who has an inoperable brain tumor raise money for brain cancer research. A Clarke University No. 22 jersey, signed by Lauren Hill, is up for auction through Nov. 16 at www.layup4lauren.com. Clarke women’s basketball coach Don Adams sent the foundation the No. 22 Clarke jersey, which Hill then signed. The top bid for the Clarke jersey is currently $35; or you can buy it now for $250. Hill wears No. 22 for Mount St. Joseph and as a fundraiser for brain cancer research through The Cure Starts Now Foundation No. 22 jerseys have been donated from high school, colleges and professional basketball teams from around the country. So far, more than $50,000 has been raised. Clarke President Sister Joanne Burrows is a member of the Sisters of Charity, the religious order that founded Mount St. Joseph. Burrows serves on the Mount St. Joseph Board of Trustees. Lauren was recently featured in national media when the NCAA allowed Mount St. Joseph, located in Cincinnati, to move the date of its game against Hiram College up two weeks in hopes that Hill would be healthy enough to play. In September, doctors told her she has only a few months to live. Hill did play in the game on Nov. 2, scoring a basket just 17 seconds into Mount St. Joseph’s 66-55 victory. “I never thought I would play on a college court, put my feet on the floor and feel the vibration of the crowd,” Hill said after the game. “This game has been amazing, and everything that happened today was amazing. This is a really good day.” Lauren was diagnosed with DIPG, a form of brain cancer, in November 2013. She continued to play basketball through her six weeks of radiation and study chemo. The game against Hiram was moved to a 10,000-seat arena in Cincinnati to accommodate the demand for tickets and media requests. Mount St. Joseph’s games usually draw about 100 fans. After she scored, Hill left the game to a standing ovation. Her teammates mobbed her at center court. According to a report on ESPN.com, because of the headaches and nausea caused by Hill’s tumor and the medicine she takes to treat it, she spent most of the game on the bench wearing pink sunglasses and headphones. She returned to the game in the final seconds and scored another basket. For more information, contact the Clarke University Marketing and Communication Office at (563)588-6318.