Major League Ballplayer Anthony Rizzo Hosts “Walk-Off For Cancer,” Raises Nearly $1 million
Adam Zubik, Anthony Rizzo, Jaxson Dumas
The Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation hosted its 13th Annual Walk-Off For Cancer at Pine Trails Park in Parkland, raising nearly $1 million to benefit pediatric cancer patients, families, and fund research. More than 1,000 people participated on-site or virtually in the event, which consisted of a timed 5K run, 5K walk, entertainment, food and drinks, photo opportunities, and a special kid’s zone presented by i9 Sports.
Anthony Rizzo (on stage)
Anthony Rizzo, a major league ballplayer and a cancer survivor, started his foundation in 2012 to assist families, and he did just that with a surprise announcement that the nonprofit would be paying the mortgage of a Coral Springs family for a year as their child battles leukemia. Jackson Walker is a patient at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and his single mom, Britt McCluskey, lost her job after missing work to care for her child.
Britt McCluskey, David Parker, Jackson Parker
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“This is another example of us helping out a family going through a hard time,” said Rizzo, a Parkland native. “Now they won’t have to decide between going to work to pay their bills or being beside their son the whole time, so hopefully this takes some pressure off them for the year.”
Rachel Coombs, Jackie Johnstone, Anthony Rizzo, Lotsy Dotsy, Tony Milian
Rizzo has a long-standing relationship with Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. He has made numerous visits to the Hollywood facility and his foundation has been responsible for donations and sponsorship of nearly $2 million there since 2019.
Debbie Phillips (of the Anthony Rizzo Fan Club), Anthony Rizzo
The Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by major league ballplayer Anthony Rizzo. Anthony realized during his own battle with cancer that no matter how difficult fighting cancer was for him, it was even more difficult for his family. Anthony believes that an individual does not battle cancer alone, but that the whole family battles it together. The mission of the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation is to raise money for cancer research and to provide support to children and their families battling the disease.
Rizzo family
Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital is one of the nation’s leading pediatric hospitals, offering a comprehensive scope of healthcare services and programs in a caring, compassionate setting designed specifically for children. A level one trauma center based that is part of the Hollywood-based Memorial Healthcare System, it combines advanced technology, the expertise of board-certified specialists, and a patient and family-centered approach to heal the body, mind, and spirit.
The hospital’s nonprofit foundation focuses on philanthropy to positively impact patients, families, and underwrite programs, facilities, and equipment that support the pediatric facility’s mission.