Cubs' Anthony Rizzo hosts 4th annual Cook-Off for Cancer

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Cubs star Anthony Rizzo and the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation hosted Thursday night the 4th annual Cook-Off for Cancer in the West Loop.

Rizzo is a cancer survivor. Ten years ago, he overcame Hodgkin's Lymphoma when he was 18 years old.

The sold-out event raised money for pediatric cancer causes. Other Cubs players were also be in attendance. Fresh off a win at Wrigley Field, they gathered at the charity event.

"Who we have on our team is who are our friends," Rizzo said. "We're a really good, close group and them being here means a lot to me."

Attendees took selfies with Cubs players and players poured drinks behind the bar. The players united around their young leader.

Rizzo is not the only Cubs player to beat cancer - pitcher John Lester and Rizzo bonded over their tales of cancer survival while they both played for the Boston Red Sox.

Now teammates once again, both men spoke candidly about their cancer experience, knowing so many others are battling too.

"Jon and I are on the other side of it now and we we're on a platform now where we can really help out with a lot of people," Rizzo said.

Lester remembers trying to keep a routine, doing the things he loved and that helped him.

"That just kept me sane," Lester said. "And I told Anthony that when I met him eight, nine years ago. And he still to this day says the same thing."

Paying it forward with teammates and friends.

"Donate to families, donate to hospitals, donate for research. We do so much stuff with this money and it goes to such good causes, that's the best part," Rizzo said.

Many popular restaurants and chefs were on hand with delicious food for attendees to taste, including Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse, Mastro's Steakhouse, Piccolo Sogno, GT Fish & Oyster and RPM.