Mia Hamant, a goalkeeper for the University of Washington soccer team, has died. She was 21 years old.
The university’s athletics department shared the news in an official statement, noting that Hamant, who was from Corte Madera, Calif., died “following her courageous battle with stage 4 kidney cancer.” The university confirmed to PEOPLE that she died on Thursday, Nov. 6.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with her parents, Candice and Kevin, her family, teammates, coaches, friends and all who were fortunate to know her,” the university said in their statement.
“Mia’s legacy and spirit will forever remain a part of the University of Washington. Her heart, selflessness and resilience inspired everyone. Mia’s courage, optimism and grace touched the lives of the entire Husky community. She will always serve as an inspiration for everyone whose life she was able to touch,” the university added.
In a statement shared through the department, Washington Women’s Soccer head coach Nicole Van Dyke called Hamant “the heart of our program,” adding that she was “someone who lifted up everyone around her with her joy, courage and kindness.”
“Even in the most difficult moments, she showed an unshakable spirit that inspired her teammates and coaches every single day. Mia made us all better people, and her impact will be felt in this program and in all of our lives forever,” Van Dyke added.
In the same release, team physician Ashwin Rao said he had the “privilege” of knowing Hamant during her four years as a student athlete at the university.
“I was also fortunate to be with her to the end of her journey. Throughout the process, Mia fought her cancer as fiercely as she played. She wished to be an inspiration to others also fighting cancer, as well as a source of awareness and destigmatization,” he said.
The University of Washington will share details regarding a memorial or celebration of Hamant’s life at a later time, per the statement.
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Hamant announced that she had been diagnosed with “non-sickle cell SMARCB1-deficient renal medullary carcinoma (RMC)” on April 11 in a May Instagram post.
“Everything happens for a reason,” she wrote in the post’s caption, paired with a photo of herself in a hospital bed surrounded by friends.
“If you told me a month ago I would be diagnosed with and fighting cancer, I would have laughed in your face, but here we are,” she added.
The athlete went on to express gratitude for all the support she had received from friends and family following the sudden diagnosis, noting that “normal life has been put on pause.”
RMC is “a rare, aggressive cancer that forms deep inside your kidney,” according to the Cleveland Clinic. There is currently no cure, though treatments like chemotherapy can help patients live longer.
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