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After Cancer Interrupted Her Life and Career, Tiana Mangakahia Isn't Backing Down

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Cynthia and Terei Mangakahia have big plans for New Year’s Eve at their home in Brisbane, Australia. First, they’re going to find a large piece of cardboard and write “2019” on it. Then, they’re going to bring it to their roof, grab a lighter and burn it. “It was a really horrible year,” Cynthia says. “Bring on 2020.”

For the Mangakahias, 2019 was supposed to be memorable for different reasons than it was. Their only daughter, Tiana, was supposed to play her senior year as Syracuse’s starting point guard after being named All-ACC first team and honorable mention All-American while leading the team with 16.