Mia Hamant, a star goalkeeper for the Huskies, was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer in April.
University of Washington soccer player Mia Hamant has died after a seven-month battle with a rare kidney cancer, the University confirmed on Thursday. She was 21.
Hamant, a standout goalkeeper for the Huskies, was diagnosed with stage 4 SMARCB1-deficient kidney cancer in April. Her diagnosis represented only the 14th documented case of its kind.
“Mia was the heart of our programme, someone who lifted up everyone around her with her joy, courage, and kindness,” said UW women’s soccer head coach Nicole Van Dyke in a statement. “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 programme and in all of our lives forever.”
Hamant was in her senior year at UW.
In May, whilst undergoing treatment after completing her first round of chemotherapy, Hamant reflected on her proudest moment of the 2024 season when she made three penalty saves in a shootout victory over No. 17 Iowa at the Big Ten Tournament, helping secure an NCAA tournament bid.
Pat Chun, director of athletics for UW, remarked on Hamant’s legacy of kindness and bravery.
“The University of Washington grieves the heartbreaking loss of Mia Hamant, whose strength, kindness, and spirit touched everyone around her. Mia embodied everything we hope for in a Husky student-athlete: perseverance, grace, and an unwavering commitment to her teammates and community,” Chun’s statement said. “Her remarkable courage through adversity and the legacy she leaves behind will forever inspire the UW family.”
University officials said details of a memorial or celebration of life will be announced at a later date.
The loss of Hamant resonates deeply within the University of Washington athletic community and beyond. Her battle with an extraordinarily rare form of kidney cancer, documented in only 13 previous cases worldwide, highlights both the unpredictability of serious illness and the courage with which she confronted her diagnosis.
SMARCB1-deficient kidney cancer represents an exceptionally uncommon malignancy, making treatment protocols less established than for more frequently occurring cancers. The rarity of her specific diagnosis meant medical teams had limited precedent to guide therapeutic approaches, adding complexity to an already devastating situation.
Hamant’s April diagnosis came during what should have been a triumphant final season as a collegiate athlete. The timing, occurring near the conclusion of her senior year, meant she faced this health crisis whilst also preparing for life after university, compounding the emotional challenges.
Her performance in the Big Ten Tournament, particularly the three penalty saves against Iowa, demonstrated the high level of athletic achievement she reached before her diagnosis. Penalty shootouts require exceptional mental fortitude and technical skill, qualities that evidently extended beyond the athletic field into her health battle.
The seven-month period between diagnosis and her death reflects the aggressive nature of stage 4 cancer. Advanced-stage diagnoses indicate cancer has spread beyond the primary site, significantly complicating treatment and reducing survival prospects.
Hamant’s willingness to undergo chemotherapy and continue fighting despite the dire prognosis exemplifies the determination Coach Van Dyke described. Chemotherapy’s physical and emotional toll is substantial, yet Hamant persevered through treatment whilst maintaining the spirit that inspired those around her.
The coach’s characterisation of Hamant as “the heart of our programme” suggests her impact extended well beyond her on-field contributions. Team chemistry and morale depend significantly on individuals who elevate others, and Hamant apparently fulfilled that role whilst excelling athletically.
Her ability to maintain joy, courage and kindness throughout her illness, as noted by Van Dyke, reflects remarkable emotional resilience. Many individuals facing terminal diagnoses struggle with understandable fear, anger or despair, making Hamant’s continued positive influence on others particularly noteworthy.
The athletic director’s statement emphasising perseverance, grace and commitment to teammates and community articulates values that collegiate athletics programmes aspire to cultivate. Hamant’s embodiment of these ideals whilst confronting mortality provides a powerful example for current and future student-athletes.
The university community’s grieving process will unfold through formal memorial services and informal remembrances. Athletic teams often develop particularly close bonds through shared training, competition and travel, making losses like this deeply personal for teammates.
The upcoming memorial or celebration of life will provide an opportunity for the extended UW community including former teammates, coaches, faculty, staff and supporters to collectively honour Hamant’s memory and support one another through grief.
Her legacy will likely inspire future Huskies athletes, with her story serving as a reminder of perspective beyond won-loss records and individual statistics. The courage she demonstrated facing terminal illness at age 21 contextualises athletic challenges and setbacks differently.
The women’s soccer programme will need to navigate the emotional impact of losing a teammate whilst maintaining competitive focus. Coaches and athletic department mental health resources will play crucial roles supporting team members through their grief whilst honouring Hamant’s memory.
Young adult cancer cases, whilst less common than diagnoses in older populations, carry particular poignancy. Individuals in their early twenties are typically planning careers, relationships and futures, making terminal diagnoses especially cruel interruptions of life’s trajectory.
Hamant’s story may raise awareness about rare cancers and the importance of medical research into uncommon disease presentations. The 14-case documentation level for her specific cancer type indicates how little medical science understands certain malignancies.
Her family’s loss, losing a daughter at 21, represents an unspeakable tragedy. Parents expect to predecease their children, making this natural order’s reversal particularly devastating. The university community’s support for Hamant’s family will be important in coming months.
