College Volleyball Player Amanda Mack Dies at 20, Just Months After Rare Blood Disorder Diagnosis

Amanda Mack, a 20-year-old college volleyball player from Bradenton, Florida, has died after a devastating battle with severe aplastic anemia, a rare blood disorder she was diagnosed with only months before her death.

Mack died on September 16, 2026, her family announced. She had recently transferred to the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts after playing college volleyball at the University of Cincinnati and Eastern Kentucky University. Holy Cross confirmed her death and said she had been unable to begin playing for the team after becoming ill.

Her health crisis began several weeks before she publicly revealed her diagnosis. Mack said she woke up feeling unwell, later passed out and was taken to the hospital. She described being in critical condition, with extremely low blood counts requiring blood and platelet transfusions.

Doctors initially suspected leukemia. After two bone marrow biopsies, however, Mack said physicians determined that she had severe aplastic anemia, a condition in which the bone marrow fails to produce enough healthy blood cells.

Mack underwent intensive treatment, including immunosuppressive therapy and emergency procedures related to complications from the illness. She had also been preparing for a potential bone marrow transplant, but her condition ultimately prevented that plan from moving forward.

Despite the seriousness of her condition, Mack continued to share hopeful updates. On August 14, she announced that she had completed immunosuppressive therapy and was hoping to leave the hospital, begin physical therapy and eventually return to school and volleyball.

That recovery never came. Mack died on September 16, only about two months after publicly announcing her diagnosis. Her family described her as a bright light whose loss would be felt deeply by everyone who knew her.

Mack had built an impressive volleyball career before her illness. She played at Cincinnati before transferring to Eastern Kentucky, where she appeared in 29 matches during the 2025 season.

Source: People.com