CUB LEGEND ANTHONY RIZZO HONORED BY TIME MAGAZINE
Chicago Cubs legend Anthony Rizzo was recently named one of the elite 50 in TIME magazine’s prestigious “World’s Greatest Sports Ambassadors” list. This high honor recognizes his tremendous influence both on and powerfully off the field.
The award acknowledged his outstanding on-field achievements, which include more than 2,000 career Major League Baseball games. However, the true focus was on the lasting influence he has established off the diamond.
Rizzo, a true survivor of Hodgkin’s lymphoma himself, founded the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation. This influential organization supports children and their families who are currently battling cancer and fighting the disease.
The foundation is dedicated to spreading crucial hope and empowering communities in need. Rizzo’s every public move is now clearly about a mission far greater than just excelling at the game of baseball.
FOUNDATION FOCUS: HOPE AND FINANCIAL STABILITY
Rizzo’s philosophy, shared by his family, is that an individual never battles cancer alone. The former World Series champion strongly believes that the entire family battles the difficult disease together as a unified front.
His foundation’s mission is two-fold: to raise vital money for advanced cancer research and to provide essential, direct support to children and their families currently battling the devastating disease.
The organization established a $3.5 million endowment at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, which became Rizzo’s home away from home during his own arduous treatment process.
This endowment provides critical Child Life Specialists. These key professionals are there to help families navigate the intense emotional side effects of a frightening cancer diagnosis and treatment process.
The Foundation also manages the crucial Hope 44 Fund. This financial program provides direct, immediate financial support to families facing financial toxicity from the diagnosis of a child.
RIZZO’S COMMITMENT: PAYING THE BILLS
Rizzo’s own family was lucky to have the Boston Red Sox cover all his medical bills during his battle. He established the fund realizing that most families simply are not that fortunate in their time of greatest need.
When a child is first diagnosed, a parent often has to completely stop working. The loss of income combined with increased medical costs creates massive financial stress for the entire family unit.
The Hope 44 Fund works tirelessly to remove some of this severe financial hardship. They pay everyday household expenses like crucial mortgages, rent, car payments, and the cost of groceries.
Rizzo believes that parents should not have to worry about paying a bill or putting food on the table. They should only have to concentrate completely on being together and supporting their fighting child.
His enduring motto is one of powerful optimism: “Stay Strong, Dream Big!” This is the message he now passes along to every single child he meets in the hospital, and it has inspired millions.
AMBASSADOR STATUS: A CLEMENTE LEGACY
Rizzo’s off-field work earned him the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award back in 2017. This award is given annually to the player who best embodies the game through extraordinary character and philanthropy.
His character, community involvement, and positive contributions are the true reasons he was recognized as one of TIME’s greatest ambassadors, solidifying his powerful legacy across the globe.
His ability to use his platform to create a real, tangible safety net for families in crisis is now recognized as equal to any home run he ever hit during his Hall-of-Fame-worthy career.
