Washington soccer player Mia Hamant passes away at 21 after fighting kidney cancer.

Mia Hammant, Washington Women’s Soccer Player, Passes Away at 21

Mia Hammant, a standout women’s soccer player at Washington, has passed away at just 21 years old after a tough battle with stage 4 kidney cancer, as confirmed by the school on Thursday.

Washington’s head coach, Nicole Van Dyke, expressed her heartbreak in a statement, saying, “Mia was the heart of our program, someone who brought joy, courage, and kindness to everyone around her. Even in the hardest times, her spirit inspired her teammates and coaches. She made us all better, and her legacy will always remain with us.”

In April, Hammant was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer known as stage 4 SMARCB1-deficient renal medullary carcinoma. At the time, she shared with a campus newspaper that lingering respiratory issues had brought her to the emergency room, where doctors suggested possible autoimmune diseases, infections, or even cancer.

On social media, she had once posted an image from her hospital room, showing support from loved ones as she faced the daunting reality. In a candid reflection, she conveyed a mix of surprise and hope: “If you would have told me a month ago that I’d be fighting cancer, I would have laughed. But here I am.” She described her diagnosis as just “bad luck,” but credited her friends and family for helping her navigate the challenges ahead.

Hammant also initiated a GoFundMe to assist her family during this tough time, raising over $135,000 while missing her senior season of soccer. It’s heart-wrenching to think about how she missed much of her college experience, having previously sat out her freshman year due to injury and only appearing in one game during her sophomore year. Yet, she shone brightly in her junior season.

Her GoFundMe noted the rarity of her medical condition, suggesting that many hospitals might see only one case per year. Friends and family described Hammant as a force of nature, known for her grit and determination. “She has never backed down from a challenge,” they shared.

Throughout her treatment, her teammates wore orange patches on their jerseys in solidarity. Despite her struggles, Hammant maintained a positive mindset, even making an appearance at the Huskies for a Cure football game in a wheelchair where she participated in a time-honored tradition.

Recently, she shared a joyful post on Instagram titled “proof of life,” showing her engaging in activities with friends. “My goal in treatment is to get back to my normal life,” she had remarked, envisioning a return to her independent university life.

The university plans to provide information about memorial services to honor Hammant’s memory. They stated, “Mia’s spirit and achievements will always be part of the University of Washington. Her courage and selflessness served as an inspiration to all who knew her.”