Cubs' Rizzo befriends Glen Ellyn 7-year-old battling cancer

GLEN ELLYN, Ill. (WLS) -- Cubs player Anthony Rizzo, a leukemia survivor, has befriended a young Cubs fan who is now bravely battling cancer - 7-year-old Benjamin Burke.

The Glen Ellyn boy met the first baseman last winter at Lurie Children's Hospital, where Rizzo makes monthly visits to the pediatric floor.

Benjamin said it feels good to have the support of Rizzo, who celebrated eight years of being free of Hodgkins Lymphoma. Rizzo's best advice, Benjamin said: "Don't be afraid

"He knows what it's like to feel awful from chemo. He knows what it's like to fee run down. That is a perspective that not a lot of people share," said Benjamin's mother, Jennie Burke.

It's been nine months since Benjamin's diagnosis and the Burke family has been overwhelmed by support in their Brave for Benjamin campaign.

CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW BRAVE FOR BENJAMIN

"When you're at your lowest and you feel so weak, it's easy to be lifted up by a community of people that cares," Burke said.

On Sunday, Benjamin and his family organized a lemonade stand which raised more than $20,000 for the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation, and sparked a Twitter shout-out from Rizzo himself.