If you’re a baseball fan, you probably know Anthony Rizzo as the 25-year-old All-Star First Baseman for the Chicago Cubs. Last season, Rizzo finished with a batting average of .286 and hit 32 home runs, both career highs. While Rizzo is an up-and-coming star on the baseball diamond, he’s also extraordinary off it.
In 2007, at the age of 17, Rizzo was drafted in the sixth round of the MLB draft by the Boston Red Sox. Rizzo’s career was on the rise, until 2008 when doctors made an unpleasant find.
“I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I was Shocked!” Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects your immune system, specifically the lymphatic system.
To follow was 6 months of chemotherapy to rid of the disease. While Rizzo was the only one fighting the disease physically, he believes he wasn’t alone. “I believe that an individual does not battle cancer, but rather the whole family does.”
Finally, in November of 2008, Rizzo was given the news by his doctors that he was cancer free and ready to move on with his life. It was then that Rizzo knew he wanted to give back to fellow cancer patients and their families.
In 2012, the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation was born. The Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation is a non-profit organization that aims to “raise money for cancer research and to provide support to children and their families battling the disease.” The foundation is run solely by Rizzo’s family and closest friends.
This coming May, the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation will host its Third Annual Cook-Off For Cancer. At 
this fundraiser, some of Chicago’s best chefs will compete to create a unique ballpark platter that will be served to the guest by members of the Chicago Cubs. Proceeds from the event will go to funding cancer research and providing support to fellow cancer patients and their families.
In 2014, Rizzo won the Branch Rickey Award. This award honors a MLB player that exhibits exceptional community service and acts as a role model. He is the youngest player to ever receive the award.
For more information about the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation, visit their website: http://www.rizzo44.com/index.html
