COMMUNITY NEWS
10TH ANNUAL WALK-OFF FOR CANCER Was a Huge Success
O
By Terry Jaillet
n a warm South Florida evening “When a child gets cancer, 70% of in August 2018, Kelly Sorensen families lose personal income,” said sat down for dinner with her Rizzo during a ceremony prior to the husband and two children. The meal walk, “many families are forced to file started out like countless other evening for personal bankruptcy. We try to meals. Unfortunately, family dinners make sure families can pay their bills.” would never be the same again. Kelly’s Anthony Rizzo’s journey to helping daughter, Emma, lost vision in her right pediatric cancer patients and their eye as she sat with her family. By the families came from a very personal end of the night, she was rushed to experience. Shortly after being drafted the emergency room. Over the coming by the Boston Red Sox at the age of 17, weeks, they learned that Emma had a Rizzo was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s tumor in her brain. Tragically, Emma lost Lymphoma. He received treatment her battle with cancer 18 months later. and his cancer eventually went into Kelly bravely told Emma’s story to a remission. Rizzo went on to become crowd of hundreds who gathered on a World Series Champion and threea cool Sunday morning to help raise time All-Star in Major League Baseball, money for the Anthony Rizzo Family playing for the Chicago Cubs and New Foundation. November 14th marked York Yankees. His success and positive Rizzo’s 10th annual Walk-Off For Cancer attitude are an inspiration for people 5K walk at Pine Trails Park in Parkland. suffering from cancer everywhere. Since its inception, the foundation has In 2012 Rizzo and his family founded raised more than $8 million dollars to The Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation. help support families battling childhood Each year the foundation holds an cancer, included $3 million in the past annual walk to raise money and awareyear alone. ness for the victims of childhood cancer. The Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation is a bit unusual amongst charities that focus ⊲ For more info on The Anthony on cancer. In addition to funding research Rizzo Family Foundation or to and care, like many other foundations, donate, visit www.rizzo44.com. the Rizzo Foundation provides financial See everyone next year! support directly to families stricken by the disease.
20 / December 2021 / OurCityMedia.com
