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SALT LAKE CITY — For Utah Jazz guard Ricky Rubio, the team's jersey sponsor of Five for the Fight (against cancer) is personal.
Rubio’s mother Tona Vives died on May 26, 2016 after a 4-year battle with lung cancer. The Rubio matriarch never smoked during her otherwise healthy life — and she died at the young age of 56 from the dreaded disease.
“It was so painful, seeing her go through all that stuff,” Rubio said. “It drove me to really help other people who are going through that.”
Rubio has turned the most painful moment of his life into motivation to make a difference for others in their own fight against cancer. He launched the Ricky Rubio Foundation in July, and he’s used his platform as an NBA player to help others in their own fight against cancer.
Rubio’s move to Utah has helped, too. He’s found answers at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, and he’s been active with patients there. He recently paid several patients a visit, surprising them with Jazz game tickets and apparel to help them cope with the most challenging moments.
“It’s not easy,” Rubio said. “Sometimes I wonder why I have to go to the hospital and bring back bad memories. But at the end of the day, I remember all the patients that I can help and the families that can go to a game and have a little fun while going through a tough process.
“It fills me up.”
Rubio made a promise to his mother before she died, too. He would bring awareness to the disease that took her life, and try to help others battling the same affliction.
“I was going to fight that cancer, to get it quicker and easier to treat,” he said.
Rubio has also spent time with doctors, nurses and researchers to support the work they are doing to find a cure.
He’s fighting the battle, one patient at a time.
“After seeing all the research, it’s amazing,” he said. “The real heroes are them. They are saving lives.
“You see how a doctor is a hero.”
