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Anthony Rizzo forms strong bond with teen battling cancer

Mark Townsend
·Yahoo Sports Contributor
(Adrianna Fernandez on Twitter)
(Adrianna Fernandez on Twitter)

As Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo has developed into a perennial MVP contender on the field, he's remained committed to giving back off the field.

The 26-year-old All-Star makes that commitment all year round. During the season, Rizzo makes regular visits to Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago to visit patients and their loved ones in an attempt to lift their spirits. During the offseason, the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation holds its annual "Walk-Off for Cancer" charity event in Parkland, Fla, Rizzo's hometown, which exists to raise awareness and funds for cancer patients.

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Those visitis and the 5K walk hold special meaning to Rizzo. In 2008, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma while playing in the minor leagues in the Boston Red Sox organization. Because he's gone through that battle, Rizzo understands what the patients are feeling and  knows the impact even the slightest bit of support and encouragement can have on the patients and the families whose strength helps fuel their fight.

In four years, Rizzo's foundation has raised over $1 million. In addition to that, the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation Hospitality Room on the oncology floor at Lurie Children's Hospital was unveiled on July 28. The foundation is doing truly amazing work, and it's being recognized, but it's the incredible people Rizzo has met along the way and the bonds he's formed that have made his efforts priceless.

Included in the group is 14-year-old Adrianna Fernandes, whom Rizzo met earlier this year when she was undergoing chemo for optic nerve glioma, a rare and inoperable cancer that had caused her to lose sight in her left eye. It's a special bond, because Rizzo didn't just provide inspiration for Fernandes in her battle, she has since returned the favor by making the trip to Florida to attend Rizzo's charity walk on Nov. 15.

MLB.com's Carrie Muskat has more:

Addie, who turns 14 on Sunday, had a chance to be in Italy as part of a Make-A-Wish gift. She chose Rizzo's walk instead.

"I said, 'Guess what's coming up? It's the walk,'" Addie said of a conversation she had with her mother. "I wanted to come to the walk and Make-A-Wish made it better, and we got to go to Disney [World in Orlando, Fla.] and hang out."

Rizzo was understandably touched that Addie decided to give her time to support his cause. It speaks to her character, which obviously matches her strength, but it also speaks to the importance of making the effort. The importance of reaching out and connecting with patients and their families and giving them something to look forward to.

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That's exactly what Rizzo has done, and the impact it's had on Addie is immeasurable.

"He puts a smile on her face," Addie's mother Lisa Morello said of Rizzo. "For us, it's like being with family."

"I wanted to come here because I wanted to give back to Anthony," Addie said. "I've met him so many times and he's done so much for me and my family, so I wanted to give back and walk this walk."

It's a remarkable story that's worth checking out at MLB.com. One that should inspire all of us to make some extra effort to give back. We may not have the celebrity or the financial means to make the impact an Anthony Rizzo can, but we can all do something to make the day a little brighter for someone who's fighting.

Well done, Anthony Rizzo and Adrianna Fernandes, and thank you for the inspiration.

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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!