Another Home Run for Anthony Rizzo’s Family Foundation

On the evening of August 5, 2023, Barrington residents Alisa and Rick Heidner and their family hosted an extraordinary event in support of the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation. Proceeds from the event surpassed a stunning $500,000. “I am overwhelmed with our community’s generosity,” Rick Heidner said. “This will help so many families through the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation.”

The foundation, with its mission to bring relief and support to families who have a loved one battling cancer, was created four years after Chicago Cubs former First Baseman and now New York Yankee, Anthony Rizzo completed six months of cancer treatment in 2008. While starting his career as a professional baseball player in Greenville, South Carolina in Single A ball, he was abruptly stopped short with the shocking news that he had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

While not able to attend the Barrington Hills event in person, Anthony Rizzo shared a heartfelt message via video to guests at the fundraiser. “The Heidner family has been incredible to both the Foundation and my family,” he said. “We are honored to be the recipients of such an incredible event. The dollars raised will go directly to families to help pay everyday household expenses during their cancer journey.”

Seventy percent of families who have a child battling cancer run the risk of financial bankruptcy, reports Abby Suarez, executive director of the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation. During Rizzo’s treatment, his mom, Laurie, left her job. At the same time, Rizzo’s grandmother was fighting breast cancer. “No family can plan for a medical experience such as cancer,” Suarez said. Knowing the weight that an entire family bears, Rizzo created the foundation to help others whose cancer challenges are reminiscent of his family’s.

Learn more about the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation at rizzo44.com or contact the Foundation’s Executive Director, Abby Suarez at abby@rizzo44.com.