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College volleyball player Amanda Mack has died aged 20 just weeks after being diagnosed with a rare blood disorder.
The Maryville, Tennessee native attended the famed IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida where she was the school's first ever Under Armour All-American in volleyball.
She committed to the University of Cincinnati then transferred to Eastern Kentucky before transferring to Holy Cross for her junior year just a few months ago.
In a post on May 9 she wrote: 'I am so incredibly blessed and excited to announce that I will continue my academic and athletic career at College of the Holy Cross!
'I’m so thankful for everyone who has been a part of my journey and I can’t wait for this new opportunity! Go Crusaders!!'
But she shared that she had been diagnosed with a rare blood disorder back in July and shared an update on her recovery just four weeks ago.
Her family has now revealed she passed away on Wednesday night, posting on her Instagram account: 'It is with incredible sadness that we announce the passing of our beautiful daughter Amanda Elizabeth Mack on 9/16/26 at 9:16 pm. Amanda was a bright light in this world and will be forever loved and missed!'.
Amanda Mack has died at 20 after being diagnosed with a 'rare blood disorder'
Mack played for the University of Cincinnati Bearcats, who posted a tribute after her passing
The Cincinnati Bearcats wrote: 'Cincinnati Volleyball is heartbroken by the passing of former Bearcat Amanda Mack. Our hearts are with Amanda’s family, friends and teammates.'
EKU Volleyball wrote: 'Former Colonel Amanda Mack passed away on Wednesday. We mourn her loss, but will forever cherish our memories together.
'The entire EKU community sends our thoughts and prayers to her family, friends and all of her teammates through the years.'
On July 13 she shared a picture in a hospital bed and revealed a 'major life update', sharing extensive details of her shocking health diagnosis after waking with a bad headache.
'Not a post I ever thought I would be making,' she began. 'A few weeks ago I woke up not feeling well. A bad headache where I could hear my heartbeat pounding in my head. I ended up passing out and went to the hospital.
'My hemoglobin was at 4 and my platelets were at 1. I was in critical condition. Somehow my body had depleted my blood supply and ability to clot. I was admitted to the hospital and loaded full of blood and platelet transfusions.
'The Doctors initially thought I had Leukemia as my labs were showing that was a possibility. After a week at one hospital, I was transferred to a higher level of care to Tampa General Cancer Institute. After 2 bone marrow biopsies, they determined I have a rare blood disorder called Severe Aplastic Anemia.
'While it is technically not cancer, it is in the blood cancer family and treated the same. My hematology/oncology Doctors have said that I recently had a virus that I didn’t know I had and it caused my immune system to go rogue and start killing my bone marrow. I no longer can make red blood cells needed to survive which has also caused my bone marrow to be depleted.
'I am currently in the ICU and had 2 emergency surgeries in the last week to save my life due to severe complications with my Aplastic Anemia. Things can change for me very quickly since I have no immune system any longer.
'The only cure for Severe Aplastic Anemia is a Bone Marrow Transplant. Thankfully my Doctors have found a donor that appears to be a 100% match for me. They have started the testing with that donor and I am scheduled to be admitted for transplant on 8/11.
Mack had recently transferred to the University of Holy Cross for her junior year
Tributes have poured in for the star, who was an Under Armour All-American in high school
'Once admitted I will have 6 rounds of chemotherapy and 1 round of full body radiation and the transplant will follow. After I am transplanted, the donor cells will start rebuilding my immune system. It will take several months to start getting back to where I was before however, I will be back better than ever!
'I will be documenting my journey to keep everyone updated. I am looking forward to new beginnings after transplant and a speedy healing process!'
On August 14, she shared: 'Finished my Immunosuppressive Therapy yesterday and came through it with minimal adverse reactions! So thankful for my Nurses & Doctors here at Tampa General. 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.'
But just a month after that post, she tragically passed away leading to a wave of tributes from the volleyball community and beyond.
Her former training facility, D1 Hardin Valley, wrote: 'Our D1 family is heartbroken by the loss of Amanda Mack.
'Amanda trained with Cory for years, and anyone who shared the gym with her knew the joy and positive energy she brought into it. She approached every session with a phenomenal attitude and left a lasting impact on everyone who knew her.
'Amanda will be deeply missed, forever remembered, and always a part of our D1 family.'
