Rizzo celebrates being 8 years cancer-free
On this date eight years ago, now-Chicago Cubs All-Star Anthony Rizzo received the best news of his life:
8 years ago TODAY I was told I was in remission. I remember crying and hugging my family thinking how lucky we were.
— Anthony Rizzo (@ARizzo44) September 2, 2016
With September being Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, the Chicago Cubs will hold Lets Go Gold day at Wrigley Field on Friday against the San Francisco Giants.
The Cubs will join local charities in support of children battling cancer as players will wear gold decals and wristbands, and will donate some of the 50/50 raffle to patients and their families.
Today we are going gold to recognize those families who are battling cancer who will never receive the news my family did.
— Anthony Rizzo (@ARizzo44) September 2, 2016
Rizzo was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in April 2008 and went through six months of chemotherapy while playing in the Boston Red Sox organization. On Sept. 2, five months after starting treatments, Rizzo was told by doctors he was in remission.
Since then, the three-time All-Star has emerged as one of MLB's best all-around first baseman, with back-to-back 30 home run seasons in 2014 and 2015 including a .272/.366/.492 career line in five seasons with the Cubs.
In 2012, four years after battling the disease, Rizzo used his star power to aid cancer research by launching the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation to provide support to children and their families fighting the illness.