"After 13 months of courageously redefining what it means to live with cancer, Justin passed peacefully early this morning, Sunday, May 29th. Justin Hardy is a star on the court for WashU basketball. He then balanced his last semester of school with treatment, in the doctors office every Monday and then back on the court on Wednesdays with two days of practice before weekend games. She recalled his response, which might have sounded flippant to anyone else. Justin Hardy "passed peacefully" on Sunday . And there wasnt going to be all the things that I loved in my life. Hardy was diagnosed with stage four terminal cancer in April 2021 but continued to play for the school after undergoing treatment. Hes not like that. She said the experience has made her think about working with cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Athletes have come back after dealing with cancer, but how many play through the treatment? Hardy refuses to lose. ': Battling stage 4 stomach cancer, WashU's Justin Hardy inspires on senior night, Hardy Strong: WashU athlete plays on while battling Stage 4 stomach cancer. We have the awesome responsibility to carry forward his legacy of relentless positivity. Someone said, Positivity kills cancer. I dont feel happy with the situation, but I do with where I am in life.. Subscribe with this special offer to keep reading, (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). But when doctors gave Hardy the go-ahead to play, Hardy decided he would do everything in his power to help the Bears reach the NCAA tournament. Washington University released a statement following Hardys death: Our deepest condolences go out toJustin Hardys family on his passing. Hardy wasnt a stranger to waking up a little sore after workouts. His battle with cancer was an inspiration for the team. ST. CHARLES, Illinois -- Justin Hardy was a star on and off the court. Despite having Stage 4 stomach cancer, Justin Hardy is the second-leading scorer for. And he was right.. Despite finding the end zone four times in 2016, many people expected more out of Hardy last season. I would definitely say this is number . Justin Hardy, a former St. Charles East four-year varsity basketball player and current player for Washington University in St. Louis, is presented with the Jodie Harrison Lifetime. = Hardy grew sicker as the season came to a close and was unable to travel to away games. And at Commencement, Andrew E. Newman, chair of Washington Universitys Board of Trustees, honored Hardy before a crowd of 15,000 students and their families and friends. A true inspiration. The community also came together to donate more than $100,000 to Hardys GoFundMe campaign to cover medical expenses and launch the HardyStrong Scholarship. And this fall, hes fought against every odd to return to WashU beside his teammates to compete at the upper tier of Division III basketball. He was 22. Hardy's story of perseverance in the face of Stage 4 stomach cancer inspired people all over the country. Diane Toroian Keaggy wrote this article for The Source. A portion of the contributions will be put towards the HardyStrong Scholarship, a fund for high school graduates competing athletically in college. He died of stomach cancer at age 22. Photo by Alex Rubin, Washington University, Justin Hardy was able to graduate early in December from Washington University despite dealing with treatment for stage four stomach cancer. Chicago, IL. Patrick Woods and Justin Hardy are organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Robert and Karen Hardy. Its not about any one of us, but together we can do something really special.. His diagnosis was so unlikely in the first place that he has hope that he can also defy the odds with his outcome. = If theres anyone built to beat this, its Hardy.. The main reason was their faith and belief God was going to heal them..and he did. Twitter was flooded with tributes when people heard about his death: As mentioned earlier, a GoFundMe page has been launched under Hardys name, and it has collected around $124,696 so far. Teammate and close friend Jack Nolan certainly has been. In his own words: If you want to win, just give me the ball.'. The average age of diagnosis in stomach cancer is 68, and Justin is a 21-year-old athlete with seemingly everything going for him. However, according to his father Bob Hardy on Twitter, Hardy had been battling cancer in recent months. A lot of things have stayed constant for Hardy over his three and a half years at WashU. "After 13 months of courageously redefining what it means to live with cancer, Justin passed peacefully early this morning," his father, Bob Hardy, wrote on Twitter. In May, sports announcer Dick Vitale paid tribute to Hardy at his annual gala to raise money for cancer research. We also cannot address individual medical concerns or provide medical advice in this forum. Discovery Company. Read more stories from Olin Business School. An example of PERSEVERANCE was JUSTIN HARDY. Justin Hardy. In April of 2021 Justin was diagnosed with Stage 4 Stomach Cancer. What a story of strength and determination. Juckem described him as the most reliable person he knows, while Doyle sees him as an older brother. Hardy grew up near Chicago in the suburb of St. Charles. Now, while still in treatment for his stage four stomach cancer, Hardy is back to scoring just under 11 points per game the second highest on the team and was an integral part of the No. Someone said, Positivity kills cancer. I dont feel happy with the situation, but I do with where I am in life.. Like what we are doing? The biggest fear you have is that Im going to try this and Im going to fail, right? RELATED: 'How can you not be moved? I look up to him in a million ways, but mainly because despite his circumstances, hes just been so unrelenting in our friendship, Wendler said. You have the worst thing possible happening, and you get to experience the thing that brings the most joy. The team had advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic struck. But this is a remarkable story of courage and positive thinking. Hardy told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in January: This is my life now and one day it changed forever. Justin's story was previously documented on ESPN'sSportsCenter Featured. It all lines up perfectly. }. He was named first-teamAll-UAA (University Athletic Association) and second-team NABC (National Association of Basketball Coaches) All-District 8. He majored in accounting and finance, which means that he cant ignore the odds that were given to him. RIPJustin. Over the Zoom screen, Hardy paused as he thought about it. If I want to live life, I have to choose to put my best foot forward and attack it with a positive mentality. I want to embrace the moment I am living in. Justin Hardy, a former St. Charles East and Washington University basketball player, is pictured at the Saints' Hoops for Hope game in Hardy's honor in February. Stay strong Justin and God bless. Pat Juckem, mens basketball head coach, said Hardy was a leader whose love for the game was surpassed only by his love for his teammates. I am living in some of the best days of my life. He needed to be careful. He went through a lot the first few months, Karen Hardy said. He averages 24 minutes a game, 11.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists for the No. And at Commencement, Andrew E. Newman, chair of Washington Universitys Board of Trustees, honored Hardy before a crowd of 15,000 students and their families and friends. This is one of the best years of my life that I have lived. There was a time I watched him walk upstairs a half a step at a time. Hardy died on Sunday morning following a long battle with stomach cancer. According to Justin's family, celebrations of his life will be held on June 2 and 3. You have permission to edit this article. Prayers and condolences to Justins family and friends. Hes relentlessly supportive of his friends in their successes like his former roommate Caleb Durbin. Off it, he's fighting for his life. Justin Hardy, who continued to play basketball for Washington University in St. Louis despite a stomach cancer diagnosis, passed away on Sunday. Fact-checking the claims on case related to St. Louis crash, 4 killed, 4 critically injured in crash at South Grand Boulevard and Forest Park Avenue, McClellan: Too many have lost faith for Kim Gardner to continue, Fate of St. Louis Fox Theatre still undecided, Brothers who did everything together, fashionista among victims in fatal St. Louis crash, Parents push back on allegations against St. Louis transgender center. The family will host a visitation from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 2, at Yurs Funeral Home in Geneva, Ill., and a legacy celebration at 1 p.m. Friday, June 3, at St. Charles East High School. Justin decided to attack this diagnosis like he would attack a defender on the court. But slowly, he started to lift. By Jenny Berg. Karen Hardys reading has been more extensive. He just continued to amaze in so many ways what Justin has already done this year is a miracle, teammate Jack Nolan said. At the time, he had a port in his chest and treatment was still a biweekly battle Is that even an option? he questioned. His diagnosis was so unlikely in the first place that he has hope that he can also defy the odds with his outcome. "After 13 months of. It just took my breath away, it was so unbelievable, said Kally Wendler, one of Hardys closest friends. The college sports star was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer in April 2021, according to a statement shared on his GoFundMe page. The 22-year-old college basketball player from St. Charles, Illinois, who passed away last week after a battle with stage 4. Hes still living with his best friends and bringing out his competitiveness in games of Hearts. With a dribble and a yell, he dunked against Wesleyans all-American center. Theres nothing at this point that can really rattle me., A warmup shirt worn by Hardys teammates and the coaching staff. He stated that he took that to heart and thought it was one of the reasons he was able to do all he did. Diagnosed in April 2021, Hardy completed a summer internship, tutored students in the fall, graduated in December a semester early and recovered from 22 kilos of weight loss to play college basketball. Once he stepped on court for the Bears, Hardy slowly began to regain some of his former strength. What followed was a sequence of events as amazing as it has been harrowing. Tell Us The Best St. Louis Has To Offer! When ESPN journalist Gene Wojciechowski learned of Hardys remarkable season, he traveled to St. Louis to profile him for ESPNs College GameDay. The story opened with Hardy sitting at a laptop writing a letter to himself. The book tackles Stause's childhood and journey into Hollywood, but she knows her love life is one of the topics that readers will be most intrigued by. Hardy, 22, graduated in December after just three-and-a-half yearswith a double major in accounting and finance while also playing a sport. A Warner Bros. After a 13-month battle with Stage 4 stomach cancer, former St. Charles East star basketball player Justin Hardy has died, according to a statement posted by his family on Twitter. But, when he comes and he will, dont forget to thank him. Latest on WR Justin Hardy including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on NFL.com . The first person Hardy called from the hospital was his dad. He wasnt in game shape, obviously, Doyle said. Washington University in St. Louis is mourning the loss of basketball player Justin Hardy. He passed away on May 29, 2022, when he sadly was only 22 years old. "I know the Moodys won't tour again," Lodge said. Hardy helped lead the Bears during their 13-game winning streak and scored 28 points, a career high, in two separate games. As a result of his dedication, Justin graduated early from Washington University with a double major. The family will host a visitation from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 2, at Yurs Funeral Home in Geneva, Ill., and a legacy celebration at 1 p.m. Friday, June 3, at St. Charles East High School. In April, Hardy was surrounded by his teammates when he received the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Perry Wallace Most Courageous Award in New Orleans. But it doesnt consume my thoughts negatively like it did initially. I dont know how anyone could fail to be moved by Justins honesty, by the nature of the medical odds he faces, by the elegance of his iron will, and by an extraordinary brand of courage and inner strength that somehow overpowers Stage 4 cancer for the length of a college basketball game, Wojciechowski wrote. Hardy grew sicker as the season came to a close and was unable to travel to away games. Early rounds of chemotherapy left Hardy sapped. Justins love for the game of basketball, competition and his teammates made him truly special. Justin Hardy is Washington University's second-leading scorer this season despite battling stage 4 stomach cancer. But when doctors gave Hardy the go-ahead to play, Hardy decided he would do everything in his power to help the Bears reach the NCAA tournament. The love was always there but now that hes gotten to a place of pure happiness and joy, that love is so much more evident in his life, said Nolan. When former University Athletic Association Rookie of the Year Justin Hardy came to campus in September, he couldnt jump 10 inches off the ground. 2. Imlay City will get right back to work when it hosts Burton . I dont know how anyone could fail to be moved by Justins honesty, by the nature of the medical odds he faces, by the elegance of his iron will, and by an extraordinary brand of courage and inner strength that somehow overpowers Stage 4 cancer for the length of a college basketball game, Wojciechowski wrote. He graduated early this past December from Washington Universitys Olin Business School with a degree in finance and accounting. His first day of treatment was a bittersweet day of Oh, were really starting this, Hardy recalled. More details will be provided soon," Hardy's father, Bob, wrote on Twitter. He is the most compassionate person in the sense that he is constantly investing in everyone else, Wendler said. Hardy's was also spotlighted by ESPN's College Gameday this past college basketball season. Justin Hardy also happens to have Stage 4 stomach cancer. Many dark days followed the news of a cancer that is diagnosed, on average, at the age of 68. . Justin Hardy at his December 2021 graduation. Comments and respectful dialogue are encouraged, but content will be moderated. BA @McKinsey | IEMS @Northwestern '22. for Major League Baseballs Atlanta Braves while also supporting them in their struggles. He learned last spring that he had Stage 4 stomach cancer, a devastating and rare diagnosis for someone so young. With less than a minute on the clock, Hardy dribbled to the basket, exchanged a knowing smile with Chicagos Bryce Hopkins and scored his last basket. This website is managed by 411 Locals and has been temporarily removed. Hailing from . Post grad Beats IMG Academic team 89-74 to close out the IMG Beach Blast! Still, in a high-flying offense that finished eighth in the league with 249.4 passing yards per game last season, Hardy is liable to put up a couple double-digit outings in standard scoring formats. Our community is forever changed by his legacy of love and strength.. His team feels that theyve received ten times what theyve given him. My life is better just for meeting him. The remarkable Justin Hardy who inspired all those who knew him and his courageous story passed away today, his family says. Washington University has lost a rising star. According to The Source, Hardy lost 50 pounds after chemotherapy and thought he might not be able to play his final season. As we grieve alongside the Hardy family, we also thank them for the gifts that Justin brought to his teammates and friends at WashU. She keeps tabs on her younger brother, who she considers the equivalent of a twin. He delivered a speech in New Orleans to explain the mental approach that helped him overcome physical obstacles. (We're) still competing for state. In place of flowers, we encourage donations to the #HardyStrong GoFundMe, Bob Hardy wrote. Justin Hardy, a basketball player for theSt. Louis-based college, passed away early morning on May 29 after spending the last "13 months courageously redefining what it means to live with cancer," his fatherBob Hardy shared on Twitter. Im never going to get back to the point where Im capable of playing, Hardy said. To show their support, Nolan, his teammates and Juckem designed #HardyStrong T-shirts emblazoned with the motto You are stronger. Soon Bears of all sports, fans and even players representing rival teams wore the shirts in solidarity. Karen Hardy said her son is weighing the possibility of another surgery for the injection of medication to the spot of the cancer. The entire 2020-21 season was canceled. Pat Juckem, men's basketball head coach, said Hardy was a leader whose love for the game was surpassed only by his love for his teammates. Since some bad chemo experiences last spring and summer, he has endured the drugs without many side effects. Prayers to the Hardy family and the Washington University family. For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! Amen. Remarkable story/person. You are an inspiration. James Jia. This is one of the best years of my life that I have lived. Two months after Hardy couldnt reach the rim, the team played Illinois Wesleyan and Hardy took possession of the ball at the top of the key. Someone said, Positivity kills cancer. I dont feel happy with the situation, but I do with where I am in life.. An unconquerable, unforgettable young man. His story became famous and ESPN documented his achievements. From a mental standpoint, it was the best thing that could have happened for me, he said. What Hardy is doing is playing on while he battles stage 4 stomach cancer. Check out the hottest fashion, photos, movies and TV shows! Hardys story went viral after he was spotlighted on ESPNs College GameDay. 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