Englewood's Amanda Mack, Holy Cross Volleyball Player, Dies at 20

Englewood native and Holy Cross volleyball player Amanda Mack died Wednesday, Sept. 16, at age 20. Her death followed a diagnosis of Severe Aplastic Anemia, a rare blood disorder, made about three months prior.

Mack, who transferred to Holy Cross in Kentucky from Cincinnati, played one season for the college's women's volleyball team as a sophomore. Her family announced her passing a little over a month after she detailed her health journey on Instagram in July.

In her social media post, Mack described waking up unwell, experiencing a blackout, and subsequent hospitalization. Doctors found her hemoglobin levels critically low at 4 and her platelets at 1. Initial suspicions of leukemia were ruled out by two bone marrow biopsies, which confirmed Severe Aplastic Anemia, a condition where the immune system attacks the bone marrow.

She received treatment, including blood and platelet transfusions and immunosuppressive therapy, which concluded Aug. 14. At that time, Mack expressed optimism about returning home, beginning physical therapy, and recovering.

The Holy Cross women's volleyball team honored Mack after the announcement of her death. Her experience serves as a reminder that serious illnesses can affect young, healthy individuals without warning, highlighting the importance of seeking prompt medical attention for unusual symptoms.