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If you needed a reason to happy-cry today, the Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo is here to deliver.
Rizzo sent a letter of support to Parker Hopkins of Muscatine, Iowa, who this month was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, two months before his second birthday. Parker is undergoing chemotherapy in Iowa City.
Parker’s parents reached out to Rizzo, who underwent treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2008, after receiving their son’s diagnosis. The All-Star first baseman took it upon himself to send a letter of encouragement to the little guy; Rizzo’s cancer went into remission following chemotherapy.
“This was the scariest time of my life,” Rizzo wrote in the letter, which you can read in its entirety below. “I believe that by staying positive, I actually felt better and ultimately won my battle with cancer. I know that you too can do that same.”
Rizzo also sent a $2,500 donation to help Parker’s family cover his medical costs as he undergoes treatment. Rizzo’s gift accompanies a GoFundMe campaign set up by a Hopkins family friend. The effort already had earned more than 9,400 as of Tuesday afternoon.
@shelbielbostedt | sbostedt@redeyechicago.com