Goalkeeper Mia Hamant high-fives her teamates prior to Washington's match against No. 5 Michigan State on Oct. 13, 2024, at Husky Soccer Stadium in Seattle.
While dealing with persistent respiratory issues in April, junior goalkeeper Mia Hamant underwent hours and hours of tests and inspections at the emergency room. When it was all said and done, Hamant heard some of the most terrifying words that can be said at a medical center.
“They said ‘there’s three options it can be: it can be an autoimmune disease, it can be an infection, or finally it can be cancer,’” Hamant said. “I was like ‘what the heck, there’s no way, that’s not possible.’ I was bawling my eyes out. No one wants to hear those words.”
The news would only get worse.
“Eventually we found out that it was kidney cancer,” Hamant said. “I was alone and I lost it there. I started crying and crying.”
Hamant was diagnosed with stage four SMARCB1-deficient kidney cancer — a rare and aggressive type of carcinoma that typically has a poor prognosis. But since the tears flowed after her biopsy, Hamant has regained her previously positive attitude, boosted by an outpouring of community support.
Not even two weeks after launching a GoFundMe campaign to support her treatment, Hamant has raised nearly $120,000 — blowing past the original goal of $50,000. With donations ranging from her teammates to former acquaintances to complete strangers, the money has helped her develop a treatment plan as the toughest fight of her life begins.
From left to right: University of Washington's Lucy Newlin, Kelsey Branson, Mia Hamant, Tatum Thomason, and Kolo Suliafu pose for a photo after defeating No. 5 Michigan State at Husky Soccer Stadium in Seattle on Oct. 13, 2024.
“It’s incredible how supportive the community is, but the people I don’t know who care, that’s the incredible part as well,” Hamant said. “The kindness in everyone’s heart to donate to me and my family is overwhelming, and I genuinely wish I could thank each and every person.”
Hamant played a massive role in the Washington women’s soccer team’s success last season, leading the Big Ten with an 0.882 save percentage — good for third in the nation. In eight conference matches, she let only five goals by and later vaulted the Huskies into the Big Ten Tournament semifinals after making three saves in a penalty shootout.
But Hamant’s contributions to her team don’t end between the goalposts. Her energy in the locker room is infectious too.
“She’s our hype girl,” head coach Nicole Van Dyke said. “She leads and holds herself accountable, and she wants the team to be successful, so she’s selfless in so many ways.”
Hamant’s diagnosis has made her teammates even closer, supporting her with bracelets, ribbons, and constant encouragement.
“My teammates have been nothing but the best. They’ve given me space when I need it, but the overall love and support from them has been incredible,” Hamant said. “They’re going above and beyond for the little things, and that’s been really nice.”
The support from her teammates, the UW community, and the other thousands of people who have helped her cause have only helped better Hamant’s outlook. While the start of her rigorous chemotherapy treatment was hard, it’s only lifted her spirits.
“Starting chemo was really scary but also really helpful because I felt so much better than I did before,” Hamant said. “Everybody’s like, ‘the color’s come back to your face, you look great’ … I’m able to do a lot more things.”
From left to right: Megan Naile, Mia Hamant and Malie Chamberland stand together in line during the singing of The Star-Spangled Banner prior to UW's match against Yale on August 31, 2023 at Husky Soccer Stadium in Seattle.
But the first round of treatment is only the beginning. Hamant began her second round of chemo May 16. With a battle that could continue for years, Hamant’s positivity has only vindicated what her coaches saw in her when they recruited her nearly five years ago.
“To see her ability to inspire so many people when she’s going through her biggest battle in life, she makes the program so proud, and we’re going to continue to support and love her every step of the way,” Van Dyke said. “For a 20-year-old to be in that space … we are so proud of her.”
Hamant is still confident she’ll never lose her love of the game, holding out hope that she’ll make her way back out to the pitch, even if it's in an adult league long after her time in college. But more importantly, Hamant is hoping she can continue to enjoy her college life surrounded by some of the people who care about her most.
“My goal with treatment is to find a way to get back to my daily life as a 20-year-old,” Hamant said. “Just living my everyday life, living at my college house, and being independent fully.”
She can also be confident that those people will never leave her side.
“She means so much to me, the coaches, and the program,” Van Dyke said. “We love her so much, and we want to make sure our strength is right beside her.”
Reach Sports Editor Jared Tucker at sports@dailyuw.com. X: @jaredetucker Bluesky: @jaredetucker.bsky.social
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