Anthony Rizzo raises $215 thousand at Walk-Off for Cancer event

Cubs first baseman and cancer survivor Anthony Rizzo knocked it out of the park today as his foundation raised $215,000 to benefit families battling cancer.

Rizzo was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the age of 18 during his first season playing Single-A ball in the Red Sox’s organization.

In 2012, after four years of remission, the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation was born. Today, Rizzo hosted the fourth annual Walk-Off for Cancer, the foundation’s 5k walk to benefit families battling the disease.

Though his foundation has now raised more than $1 million to fund cancer research, Rizzo’s support gets much more personal.

Adrianna Fernandes, Chicago resident and big-time Cubs fan, made the trip down to Rizzo’s hometown of Parkland, FL for the walk. Fernandes is currently battling cancer, and attending the event fulfilled her Make a Wish request.

Rizzo received the 2015 Heart and Hustle Award from the MLB Players Alumni Association. The award is given to the player who “best embodies the values, spirit and tradition of the game.”

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