LAWRENCEBURG, IND., DECEMBER 1, 2014 – The Dearborn Community Foundation, Inc., (DCF) has established the Lauren Hill Make A Difference Fund in honor of the 19-year-old, who has inspired so many around the world while she battles inoperable brain cancer.

DCF established the Lauren Hill Make A Difference Fund at $100,000, and is also making a $10,000 contribution to The Cure Starts Now Foundation, a charity Hill has helped to raise hundreds of thousands dollars to find a cure for cancer.

“Like so many others in our community, across the nation and around the world, the Foundation board of directors and staff are inspired by Lauren Hill and her determination to live life and make a difference in the lives of others even in the face of terminal brain cancer,” said Fred McCarter, Executive Director of DCF. “Through this endowment fund, we hope to help Lauren inspire others to strive to make a difference in our community in perpetuity!”

Hill, of Greendale, Indiana, is a 19-year-old former Lawrenceburg High School basketball player and a current freshman player at NCAA Division III Mount St. Joseph University, Cincinnati. She is also a phenomenal fundraiser for The Cure Starts Now Foundation.

The Lauren Hill Make A Difference Fund will enable the current and future DCF Board and staff members to make grants in perpetuity to address the changing needs in the community, following Lauren’s fine example of philanthropy and her motto to “Never Give Up.”

“I’m very happy that this will help others,” said Hill. “It’s more meaningful and fulfilling to help others than it is to help yourself. This gives me a great sense of purpose that I can make a difference like this. Paying it forward makes me so proud.”

Hill’s parents, Brent and Lisa said they are thankful the Foundation is encouraging others to follow Lauren’s lead to make a difference in their community. “We’re very happy that her inspiration will keep on going,” said Brent Hill.

McCarter says the fund also honors Lauren’s family. “Brent and Lisa along with Lauren’s brother, Nate and sister, Erin, are fine examples to all of us,” he said. “They’ve unselfishly shared their daughter and sister and her message with us in an effort to comfort others and to find a cure for cancer.”

Anyone can contribute to the Lauren Hill Make A Difference Fund. Contributions of any amount are accepted by the Foundation. Checks written to the Dearborn Community Foundation with a note designating the contribution to the Lauren Hill Make A Difference Fund can be mailed to the Foundation office at 322 Walnut Street, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025. Please contact the DCF office at (812) 539-4115 for more information.
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