Anthony Rizzo’s walk-off event raises $1.3M for kids battling cancer

Monday December 4, 2023

PARKLAND, Fla. – The 12th edition of the Walk-Off for Cancer, organized by the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation, took place in Parkland on Sunday morning. This charitable event successfully generated $1.3 million in funds dedicated to supporting families and facilities associated with pediatric cancer.

Major League Baseball player Anthony Rizzo of the New York Yankees organized a charity walk aimed at supporting children battling cancer and the medical facilities providing their treatment. The Annual Anthony Rizzo Walk-Off for Cancer event in Parkland once again proved to be a resounding success on Sunday morning, with local residents demonstrating strong solidarity for this noble cause.

The event organized by Anthony Rizzo, well-known for his dedication to assisting families and institutions dealing with pediatric cancer, exceeded expectations by garnering a substantial sum of over $1.3 million. This generous contribution will significantly support organizations such as the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood.

Parkland Mayor Rich Walker expressed that it had been an exceptional day at the 12th annual event. He mentioned that they were always honored to welcome back their Hometown Hero and celebrate the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation‘s highly successful and generous efforts to assist families affected by pediatric cancer.

Over 1,000 participants, engaging both in-person and virtually, took part in the 5K walk designed for cancer fighters, survivors, and supporters in Broward County. i9 Sports coordinated the event, and it included a distinctive ‘kid zone,’ offering an enjoyable space for children.

Anthony Rizzo is a cancer survivor and hometown hero

Anthony Rizzo, the New York Yankees’ first baseman and a hometown hero, is currently in South Florida, demonstrating his commitment to community service. A graduate of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Rizzo has returned to his hometown of Parkland to organize the 12th annual Walk-off for Cancer event at Pine Trails Park.

Yankees star Anthony Rizzo is with kids fighting cancer — Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation

Having overcome Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the age of 18 in 2008, Anthony Rizzo is not only a professional athlete but also a cancer survivor.

He mentioned that whether it was sending food, organizing various events at the hospitals, or donating toys and other items, the intention was to show support. Anthony Rizzo expressed a desire for the children to understand that there were numerous people supporting them continuously. In times when they felt down, the aim was to uplift their spirits in any possible way.

In previous statements, he has conveyed that the struggle, involving a six-month chemotherapy regimen, was challenging for him, but the impact on his family was even more formidable. Therefore, the primary objective of his foundation is to offer both direct financial assistance and emotional support to children and their families contending with cancer.

Established in 2012, Anthony Rizzo initiated his foundation with the goal of aiding families in their battle against cancer and contributing positively to the pediatric cancer community.

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