10-year-old girl battling leukemia honored at Sixers game

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - 10-year-old Adelaide Kanton got the VIP treatment Wednesday night at the Sixers game.

"I used to play basketball so I like watching other people play too," she said. But tonight she wasn't just watching the players. She got a one on one with forward centers Dario Saric and Joel Embiid. They both took a time out from pre-game warmups to pose for pictures and autographs.

Embiid told her to keep fighting. His words of encouragement mean a lot to Adelaide who has been battling leukemia for about four years.

"It's been rough but I've been able to push through it and be ok. I'm super dooper excited for today," she said. The Sixers invited Adelaide, her younger sister Odessa, mom and step-dad so they could honor her with the Strong Kid of the Game Award at center court before the game. She received a personalized Sixers jersey from Saric.

"I was just overwhelmed. It's a great once in a lifetime opportunity for her and I think she's going to have a really great time tonight," said her step-father Richard Rynkiewicz.

"This is so special. Adelaide spent so much time in the hospital and away from fun activities so to get here is such a privilege and exciting way to see her favorite players in person and not just on a tv," said her mother Meredith Cole.

The family got a tour of the arena including the press room where players do interviews with the media.

It was a good night for Adelaide who suffered a setback recently. Doctors cleared her for the night out but she's still undergoing some immuno-therapies at CHOP and is waiting on another biopsy in three weeks.

"We'll see where that takes us but this is a relapse for her so and so we're putting our faith in God and our doctors and hoping everything comes out quick," said her mother.