“Just Like Jill” Lung Cancer Research Campaign
“Just Like Jill” Lung Cancer Research Campaign
Jill Costello passed away this morning after a year long battle with lung cancer. Jill was not a smoker.
Crew Star Dies After Year-Long Battle With Cancer
Jill Costello, a star on the UC Berkeley’s women’s crew squad and recent graduate, died Thursday morning, ending her year-long battle with lung cancer. She was 22.
Tim Miguel, sports information director for the Cal crew teams, said he received the news this afternoon from the women’s crew head coach Dave O’Neill.
Costello, the crew’s coxswain, was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer at the end of the 2009 racing season, though she remained part of the team throughout the last year. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science in May and won the Joseph M. Kavanagh Award as the most inspirational athlete.