Beloved Cub Anthony Rizzo to be honorary chair of Komen Chicago Race for the Cure and attend with his mom, Laurie Rizzo, inspiring those who are fighting breast cancer
Susan G. Komen Chicago has announced that Chicago Cubs superstar and beloved fan favorite Anthony Rizzo will be honorary chair of the 22nd Mother's Day Race for the Cure, which be held Sunday, May 12, at Montrose Harbor. Rizzo will attend the Race with his mom, Laurie Rizzo, and will lead the Survivor's Parade, providing inspiration for survivors, thrivers and their loved ones.
Rizzo is committed to raising money for cancer research and helping families who are fighting the disease, through his Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation, which he and his family founded after his own cancer battle and after his grandmother died of breast cancer. "Anthony Rizzo has been a hero and an inspiration to so many people who have been affected by breast cancer and other cancers," says Komen Chicago executive director Tiosha Bailey. "We are so thrilled that he is supporting the lifesaving work of Komen Chicago, and that he and his mom will be joining us at Race for the Cure, our most important fundraiser of the year."
Thousands of survivors, thrivers and supporters come together at the lakefront each Mother's Day to be part of the iconic Race for the Cure, which enables Komen Chicago to meet critical needs in local communities and invest in breakthrough research to end breast cancer forever. Individual participants and teams are encouraged to register now to RACE WITH RIZZO. Go to www.KomenChicago.org to sign up and start fundraising.
"Our generous Race participants and donors help us in our work to change the reality that more than 1,000 Chicago-area women die each year from breast cancer," Bailey says, adding that there's a large disparity in the city, with the mortality rate of African-American women being 40 percent higher than Caucasian women. "Race for the Cure helps us provide grants that ensure access to lifesaving screenings and/or treatments in underserved areas. That means quality care no matter where you live, and that's something we should all be fighting for." In addition, the Race funds research that is helping doctors understand, prevent and treat metastatic breast cancer, as well as research that is leading to new treatments and technologies to improve outcomes for all patients.
Komen Chicago is proud to have support from the following sponsors: Jewel-Osco, FT Cares Foundation, JOANN, Tito's Vodka, IL Ford Dealerships, Amgen, Entercom, Partida, Rivers Casino, Sparkling Ice, City Winery, Killerspin and Gone Rogue. Packet pickup will be held at the Riverfront Plaza JOANN store from May 9 to May 11. Please visit www.KomenChicago.org for more details.
Rizzo, who has been the Chicago Cubs' first baseman since 2012 and helped the team win the 2016 World Series, is known for his charity work and support for people fighting cancer, particularly children. He believes an individual does not fight cancer alone, but rather the whole family fights together. His grandmother is one of his inspirations. She was undergoing breast cancer treatment while he was in chemotherapy for Hodgkin's Lymphoma at age 18.
Race for the Cure will be held at Montrose Harbor, 601 W. Montrose Ave. in Chicago. Day-of registration begins at 7:30 a.m., the Survivor Parade is at 8:30, and the 5K Fun Walk/Run steps off at 9. There's a Finish Fest Celebration from 9:30 to noon, with awards and Charizma on stage getting everyone pumped throughout the morning. Registration fees for those who register prior to Race Day are: $35 for adults, $30 for survivors or those living with metastatic breast cancer and $20 for youth under 18. Virtual registration for those who can't attend in person is $43. Fees increase slightly on Race Day.
Susan G. Komen's promise is to save lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer. Komen Chicago donates 75 percent of net funds raised to community grants and dedicates 25 percent to global research. Komen Chicago's priorities include making sure everyone has access to quality healthcare options, fighting to ensure fewer people die from metastatic breast cancer and shining a light on the importance of early detection.