These days, there are times when it seems like the whole world revolves around celebrity and fame.
While this can get frustrating for those of us who never got the reality TV memo, I remain truly grateful to the celebrities of the world who put their incredible platform to good use.
Take, for example, an incredible actor like Brad Pitt who has had a wildly successful career on the silver screen, but knows that the best use of his fame and fortune is drawing attention to major problems, like the need for rebuilding and restructuring on the Gulf Coast.
Now, another celebrity, this time in the world of professional sports, is drawing accolades for his incredible kindness to a small boy fighting cancer.
Anthony Rizzo, 27, is an All-Star first baseman for the Chicago Cubs. He also happens to be a cancer survivor.
So, when Rizzo received a letter from the parents of a little boy diagnosed with cancer last month, he didn’t hesitate to act.
He sent back a truly powerful letter — with a heart-stopping surprise at the bottom — that’s sure to make you well up.
Scroll through the gallery below to read the letter in full.
Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo is drawing attention off the field for a letter he wrote to a little boy named Parker Hopkins, who was diagnosed with cancer last month.
Here's what Rizzo had to say to brave little Parker:
Dear Parker,
You may not know this but your parents recently reached out to me to tell me about your battle with cancer. They also told me that you have fought this battle with tremendous courage.
Well I'm not sure if you know my story, but when I was 18, and in my first year of professional baseball, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. This was the scariest time of my life. I too had to face this tough time in my life with courage. All that I can say is that every day I stayed as positive as possible so that everyone around me, especially my family, did not worry about how I was feeling. I believe that by staying positive, I actually felt better and ultimately won my battle against cancer. I know that you too can do the same.
I am sending you a $2500 donation to help your family through this difficult time. We hope that this helps lighten the load on your family and can help you all concentrate on the important things.
Stay Strong, Dream Big!
Anthony Rizzo #44
Chicago Cubs, First Baseman
This is little Parker Hopkins.
He's every bit as courageous as Rizzo said in the letter, despite his scary diagnosis.
This sunny, adorable toddler is facing a battle that no one should have to face, especially at such a young age: on August 13, 2016, he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.
Rizzo knows a bit about what that's like. As he mentioned in his letter, he's a cancer survivor, following his diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma eight years ago, when he was a teenager just getting started in professional baseball.
Since then, he's gained fame for his performance on the field, but spends as much time as possible outside of the stadium, as part of his mission to fight cancer at every single turn.
He supports cancer research and raises funds for families battling cancer through the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation, created for the express purpose of supporting children diagnosed with cancer.
Rizzo is known for organizing fundraising events, from walkathons to summer camps, in and around the Chicago area.
He's a frequent guest in pediatric cancer treatment centers, and makes a point of showing up when he can to sign autographs, hang out, and generally bring a little sunshine to some of the sweet kids receiving treatment for cancer.
After all, he's been in their shoes. Rizzo was really just a kid himself when he received his diagnosis, and spent the next six months in chemotherapy.
For a little one like Parker, the support of a star athlete like Rizzo is an exciting mood-booster to help perk up a child who is in and out of exhausting treatments all the time.
Parker has a type of cancer that's very rare in young children, and his doctors are moving fast to help get him better as quickly as possible.
Just days after receiving his diagnosis, he was in surgery getting his chemo port in place and having his bone marrow biopsied.
Now, friends of the family have started a GoFundMe to help support the medical costs.
By August 18, he was already doing better, despite a few complications during his first surgery.
He started chemo that same day, and started his journey toward kicking cancer in the rear end.
This little munchkin is clearly tuckered out from all of the medicine and the notoriously unpleasant chemo process, but you can tell that he's a fighter.
Parker still has a long road ahead of him, but this cheerful little champion is already perked up and smiling through the treatment.
For a little boy like Parker, who hails from Iowa where many folks support the Cubs, we imagine that it doesn't hurt to have one of Chicago's most celebrated baseball players rooting for you!
And for those who aren't fans of the Cubs, Parker's family had a suggestion when they posted the letter to their Parker Strong Facebook page yesterday:
“If you are not a Cubs fan you need to be an Anthony Rizzo fan. Rizzo is one of the classiest players in the league and has always been a favorite of mine. It was so cool to get something like this back in the mail. I will forever be grateful and a fan no matter where he is playing. Thanks Rizzo!”
If you’d like to contribute to Parker’s medical expenses, you can check out the GoFundMe page. To learn more about Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation fundraising and events, check out the website.
And if you're impressed by this kind-hearted pro athlete and his tough and cheerful little fan, make sure to SHARE and spread the word!
