John Rizzo, Johnny Rizzo, Emily Rizzo, Anthony Rizzo, Vincent Rizzo, Laurie Rizzo, Sarah Rizzo and Aria Rizzo at last year’s Walk-Off for Cancer. {courtesy Anthony Rizzo Foundation}
By: Sharon Aron Baron
World Series champion Anthony Rizzo returns to Parkland for his foundation’s 8th Annual Walk off for Cancer.
Last year, the sell-out event raised over $1.2 million for several charities by over 1,300 participants.
Each year, the former Parkland resident and a graduate of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School holds the annual charity walk whose mission is to raise money for cancer research and to provide support to children and their families battling the disease.
Rizzo knows firsthand what individuals and families dealing with cancer go through. Back in 2008, at the age of 18, he was beginning his career as a professional baseball player in Greenville, SC, when his life came to an abrupt halt. He was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and had to go through six months of chemotherapy.
With the help of his family, friends, and The Boston Red Sox Organization, on September 2, 2008, his doctor gave him the great news; he was in remission. This was a tough time for his family as his grandmother was also battling breast cancer at the same time. Rizzo believed that no matter how difficult fighting cancer was, it was even more difficult for his family.
Rizzo still had six weeks left of treatment and follow-up testing, but finally, on November 18, 2008, his doctor told him that he could live a normal life. At that point, he said he knew that he wanted to become a role model to help cancer patients and their families. And in 2012, The Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation was founded.
This year’s annual walk-off for cancer is set for Sunday, November 24, 2019.
Anthony Rizzo will be attending the walk which will begin at Pine Trails Park in Parkland. Included at the event will be entertainment and refreshments from local merchants, raffle prizes and special guest appearances from local dignitaries and celebrities. Each registration includes a custom Walk-Off T-Shirt, Nike drawstring bag, Cubs hat, and more.
Net proceeds will benefit the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, and direct grants to families battling cancer.
Registration Opens: 7:30 am
Event Begins: 8:30 am
Walk Begins: 9:00 am
To register go to 8th-annual-walk-off-for-cancer
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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