Two women captured our hearts ; both were dying of brain cancer . Both taught us to cherish life -- that nothing is greater than the human spirit . Brittany Maynard , 29 , fought for the right to die with dignity . Lauren Hill , 19 , fought for a dream -- to play in a college basketball game before she dies . Their stories are sad and tragic , yet inspirational , brave and beautiful . For a brief moment last weekend , both women took us away from the negative political ads blasting from our TVs and gave us the most important message of all : to enjoy our time on Earth . Maynard conveyed a stirring message about being allowed to die on her own terms ; Hill 's cause was infectious as she conveyed a never-give-up spirit . On Saturday , November 1 , Maynard who suffered from terminal brain cancer took her last breath . She had moved to Oregon to end her life under that state 's Death With Dignity Act . Before taking medication that ended her life , Maynard signed off , saying , `` Goodbye to all my dear friends and family that I love . '' `` It is people who pause to appreciate life and give thanks who are happiest . If we change our thoughts , we change our world ! Love and peace to you all . '' A graduate of the University of California , Berkeley , Maynard had enjoyed traveling the world before her diagnosis . `` The world is a beautiful place , '' she said . `` Travel has been my greatest teacher , my close friends and folks are the greatest givers . '' She died surrounded by those who loved her most . A once taboo topic -- letting a terminally ill patient die on his or her terms -- was thrust into the spotlight . As news of her death spread , her story went viral by Sunday afternoon . Mourners tweeted and memorialized her across social media . That same day , Lauren Hill slipped on her No . 22 jersey and suited up to play basketball for Division III Mount St. Joseph . The NCAA -- not known for making speedy decisions -- moved up the team 's season opener to allow Hill to play before she dies . When she was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor last year , one of her doctors told her pediatric brain cancer `` needed a face , '' so she set a goal to live long enough to play in her first collegiate basketball game . In September , doctors gave her only a few more months . She is expected to live only until December . More than 10,000 fans crammed into Cintas Center in Cincinnati on Sunday for the match against Hiram College . They wore T-shirts and sweatshirts bearing Hill 's name and the slogan `` Never Give Up . '' Hill told ESPN before the game : `` I 've always wanted to step out on a college court , looking down at my shoes , stepping out on that wooden floor and feeling the vibration of the crowd . '' On the first play of the game , Hill got the ball in the post and laid it off the glass for a bucket . The arena erupted . She would score again , ending with four points . At halftime , legendary Tennessee head coach Pat Summitt -- facing her own valiant bout with Alzheimer 's -- presented Hill with the Pat Summitt Most Courageous Award . The award is typically given at the end of the season during the women 's Final Four . `` This game has been amazing , and everything that happened today was amazing , '' Hill said . `` This is a really good day . '' The opposing coach , Emily Hays of Hiram , said , `` The look on her face was priceless . She had that big smile . I 'm like , 'That 's why we 're here . ' `` There were enough tears to fill the Ohio River . Her story caught fire on social media , too . Mortality is something we all must face . In one weekend , two women more than 2,300 miles apart reminded us what it means to be courageous . Follow CNN 's Wayne Drash on Twitter or contact him by email .
On a single weekend , two young women with terminal brain cancer inspired a nation . One ended her own life ; Brittany Maynard chose `` death with dignity '' The other , Lauren Hill , achieved her dream -- to play college basketball before she dies .