CHICAGO _ Anthony Rizzo arrived at One Prudential Plaza Tuesday afternoon to talk about a new cancer campaign, but first he had to address the elephant in the room.
"My name is Anthony Rizzo. I'm a pitcher and first baseman for the Chicago Cubs," he said, referencing his major-league pitching debut, a two-toss effort (and topping out at 61 mph, we do mean "toss") to close out a 7-1 loss to the Diamondbacks Monday.
Laughter has been a key component in Rizzo's own battle with Hodgkin's lymphoma, as evidenced by his annual Laugh Off for Cancer comedy night, and a balance to the struggles he has faced since he was first diagnosed in 2008. So the Cubs slugger teamed up with the Chicago Tribune and other partners Tuesday to launch the "Cancer Can't Compete" fundraising campaign, which features 12 cancer survivors and their families sharing intimate details about their daily physical and emotional struggles.
"Everyone has their own story and they're writing it every day," Rizzo said.
Rizzo's story includes its share of doubt and fear as well as gratitude for the people who were there for him.
"When I was sick, I don't care who you are, as strong as you are, there's always going to be that little guy on your shoulder that pops up and says something to you like, 'What if you don't?' ... You get through that by having a good support team. The more you stay active and stay positive and keep your eye on the prize, the more that little guy on your shoulder doesn't creep in and start talking to you more and more."
Rizzo was joined at the podium by cancer survivors Anthony Bendy, 21, and Cedric Elery, 15.
Elery said didn't he didn't know much at all about cancer when he first learned he had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and Rizzo chimed in to relate having a similar feeling.
"I'm the same way. I didn't know what cancer was when I first was diagnosed. If I wasn't lucky enough to be at such a great place and a great hospital I don't know where I would've been."
When Rizzo meets survivors he advises them to push themselves to do their old "normal" activities if they're feeling healthy.
"I was told, 'Don't go in the sun.' What did I do? I went to the beach. I put on long sleeves, I put on sunscreen, I sat under an umbrella (with a) big hat, but I still went to the beach with my friends. ... Don't just sit around, 'Woe is me,' because I promise you someone has it worse than you do."
