Taking a Swing at Cancer

By SUNSHINE OSELLA

Executive Editor

Cancer affects individuals on a daily basis. According to the American Cancer Society, more than one million people in the United States get cancer each year. In 2006, Saint R

ose lost an integral member of the school community, head baseball coach Bob Bellizzi, to an almost decade long battle with leukemia.  Now, almost seven years later, his son Michael Bellizzi has undergone and won his own battle with cancer and is continuing to fight back for other individuals struggling as well.

Michael Bellizzi ran in the Mar. 17, 2013 New York City Half Marathon. He trained with a small group of friends for about 6 months. “There were times where training was difficult physically, mentally and emotionally, but I reminded myself everyday of what we were accomplishing by doing this race,” said Michael Bellizzi. He said that his mindset and support from friends and family is what got him through.
“While a marathon is certainly difficu

lt it doesn’t come nearly as hard as those 28 million people who are living with cancer today. I wanted to give back, and I feel through this I’ve done that,” said Michael Bellizzi.

Michael Bellizzi said that when he found out he had cancer he had just accepted a job as a case manager with the City of Albany in December of 2011 heading into what was to be his final semester as an undergraduate student at Saint Rose. “D

uring a physical in late January, following blood tests, doctors told me I had cancer and that I needed to have surgery the following week. The news came as a shock because everything was going so great in my life and I was so young,” said Michael Bellizzi. He said that the hardest thing to do was tell his family and friends what had happened. He also said that the support he received was absolutely incredible.

“I decided to run the marathon to celebrate my one year mark of being cancer free, but also in honor of my father’s lasting legacy. Through the help of LIVESTRONG, my marathon team Project 14 raised over $4,000 for cancer treat

ment pr

ograms,” said Michael Bellizzi.

According to Michael Bellizzi, LIVESTRONG serves people affected by cancer and empowers them to take action against this disease that is now the world’s leading cause of death. He said that when he was a patient at memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City he met a representative from LIVESTRONG who really helped him with his most difficult times. “Their message and their cancer patient services, which are available to both survivors and those presently living with cancer 24/7, is absolutely amazing. To be able to give back to them, and say thank you anyway I could was a tremendous feeling,” said Michael Bellizzi.

Michael Bellizzi said that his father, Bob Bellizzi, taught others to live their lives by the motto that LiIVESTRONG encourages people to each and every day: unity being strength, knowledge being power, and attitude being everything. He said that the way his father fought the disease and continued to live his life to the fullest certainly helped him and inspired him throughout the entire process.  “He, along with Anthony Baijnauth, a fellow cancer patient and NYC paramedic whom I met at Memorial Sloan Kettering in March of 2012 during my cancer treatment, forever and always will be my driving force,” said Michael Bellizzi.

Bob Bellizzi was the Saint Rose baseball coach for 28 years and coached 1,238 games in that period of time. According to David Alexander, assistant A.D. for communications, Bob Bellizzi founded the baseball program from a club team into a strong division two team. Alexander said that Bob Bellizzi’s determination and hard work were noteworthy. “He didn’t want to skip a beat,” said Alexander.

Alexander said that Bob Bellizzi had a way about him. He said that Bob Bellizzi knew baseball and you would learn something about the game if you were around him. That one of the reasons students came to the Saint Rose baseball program was for him. “If you had a son, you would want him to play for Bob Bellizzi,” said Alexander.

Cathy Haker, director of Saint Rose athletics and recreation, said that Bob Bellizzi was one hundred percent invested in the program. “It was as much his program as ours,” said Haker.

Haker said that Bob Bellizzi dedicated himself to everything he did. She said he truly had a heart of gold and cared about his family, students, players, and everyone else he encountered throughout his life.

Haker also said that she was always struck by his positive attitude even in his darkest moments. That he was always asking how people were doing and caring for others. “He was never caught up on himself,” said Haker.

“My Dad certainly loved the time he spent at Saint Rose as baseball coach, but it was in large part because of those people he worked with, coached, and met in the Saint Rose community that made him a successful coach and even better person,” said Michael Bellizzi.

Alexander said that throughout his battle with cancer, Bob Bellizzi kept fighting through and his players worried about him. They could tell that he was working hard through his difficulties. “I feel for him. I still miss him every day,” said Alexander.

Bob Bellizzi is not the only one who found a place as part of the Saint Rose community. All four of Bob Bellizzi’s children, including Michael, became a student at Saint Rose. Haker described Kim Bellizzi, Bob Bellizzi’s wife, as a pillar of strength and endurance. Haker said that the whole family became a part of the Saint Rose family and that they are a close knit family with an incredible amount of support for each other.

“Michael is a wonderful human being, much like his father. I am so proud of him that he was able to face his battle head on,” Haker said.

Michael Bellizzi said, “Saint Rose is my home away from home. It’s hard to really explain the experiences I’ve had at this school, and the loving support I’ve always felt from my peers, teachers and the college itself. I don’t think any words could do it justice.”

Michael Bellizzi works as a case manager for the City of Albany for at risk youth, and he also serves as the JV baseball coach at CBA in Albany and the Albany Senators of the Albany Twilight League. “I am passionate about making people happy, making a difference on those around me, and living each day to the fullest,” he said. He is also beginning the process of creating a 5K event in Albany within the next year.