By: Sharon Aron Baron
The Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation hosted Chicago Cubs All-Star and pediatric cancer survivor Anthony Rizzo on Tuesday in Hollywood and recognized the $1 million contribution recently made by the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation.
The dollars will establish endowments to benefit kids and families at the children’s hospital forever.
In 2008, at the age of 18, Rizzo, a graduate from Marjory Stoneman High School, was starting his career as a professional baseball player when his life came to an abrupt halt after he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma He then had to undergo six months of chemotherapy.
Rizzo, now a World Series champion with the Chicago Cubs, created the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation, eight years ago as a dream to help families in their darkest days and make a positive impact on the pediatric cancer community.
A Rizzo-themed display was unveiled in the JDCH oncology and hematology department, and Rizzo accepted gifts from Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital CEO Caitlin Stella and foundation Chief Development Officer Kevin Janser.
He then posed for photos before meeting with cancer patients, signing autographs, and giving out gift bags filled with Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation and Chicago Cubs swag.
On Monday evening, Rizzo was in Parkland where he unveiled the new lights and new name of the baseball field at Marjory Stoneman Douglas.
Author Profile
- Sharon Aron Baron is a Parkland resident and editor of Talk Media. She has been covering Parkland news since 2012. Parkland Talk was created to provide News, Views, and Entertainment for the residents of Parkland.
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