Holy Cross Volleyball Player Amanda Mack Dies at 20
Mack, diagnosed with a rare blood disorder, had recently shared positive updates on her treatment.
Junior Holy Cross volleyball player Amanda Mack died on Wednesday night at the age of 20. Her passing was announced via a message on her Instagram account.
Mack revealed in July that she had been diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia, a rare condition where bone marrow fails to produce sufficient new blood cells. She had undergone two emergency surgeries due to complications from the illness. In August, she shared an update stating she had completed immunosuppressive therapy with minimal adverse reactions and was awaiting bone marrow transplant.
"Finished my Immunosuppressive Therapy yesterday and came through it with minimal adverse reactions! So thankful for my Nurses & Doctors here at Tampa General,” she wrote on Instagram on August 14. “They are a huge Blessing! Now we wait for my body to fix my immune system and regenerate my bone marrow. I should be able to go home by the end of next week and get to start Physical Therapy and the rest of my healing journey! Thank you to everyone for checking on me and for all the well wishes! You all have made this whole thing a little easier."
Mack previously played for Cincinnati and Eastern Kentucky before transferring to Holy Cross. She had announced her transfer in May.
Her Instagram post in July detailed how she began experiencing severe symptoms, including a bad headache, leading to hospitalization in critical condition. Doctors initially suspected leukemia but determined she had aplastic anemia after bone marrow biopsies. According to the Mayo Clinic, aplastic anemia is a rare and serious condition that can occur at any age, leaving individuals susceptible to infections and bleeding.
Mack had outlined a treatment plan that included chemotherapy and full body radiation, followed by a transplant. She expressed optimism about her recovery, stating her intention to keep followers updated.
D1 Training Hardin Valley posted a tribute to Mack, remembering her as a positive influence in the gym and expressing condolences to her family and friends.