Meet Rana

Rana Mashburn

Before the summer of 2015, Rana Mashburn was an upcoming senior who was actively involved in many aspects of her high school: from being a member and leader of the basketball, volleyball and track teams to being a student leader as a Raider Ambassador. But in July of 2015 she became an inspiration to many in her school, community and across the nation.

In mid-July Rana was diagnosed with Hemopphagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), an autoimmune disease in which a person’s immune system attacks its own tissues and organs. Always a tough competitor, Rana began a courageous struggle against HLH which served to inspire others to serve, give and share through her story of courage and perseverance. Not only did Rana inspire many, but her mother, Kathy Mashburn, inspired countless others through her devotion to her daughter and her steadfast faith in God. Her Facebook posts brought many to tears, laughter, and an encounter with unshakable faith.

On October 22, 2015, Rana received her healing – though not in the way we all hoped for. Her teammates and classmates still find it difficult to accept that she is gone, but it is evident to all that she fulfilled her self-proclaimed purpose to be a testimony -- to inspire to do good and to love God. Her hope was to bring awareness to HLH and funding for research to find a cure for others like her who were fighting for their lives.

While she only lived 17 years on this Earth, she left a handprint on the hearts of many. All of us here today have been inspired by this spunky, courageous and faithful young woman. We are all better for knowing her. We are all

FOREVER RANA STRONG!

Rana touched so many lives and her testimony lives on. This is most evident in what others have said about her. Here are some comments from her coaches, teammates, classmates and friends…

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