Flyers offer words of encouragement for three-time leukemia survivor

Three-time leukemia survivor Johnny Van Kemp (right) meets Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim on Monday at the Skate Zone.

On Monday, three-time leukemia survivor Johnny Van Kemp, a North Carolina native who is in town for treatment at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, had a meet-and-greet with several Flyers in their locker room.

The players’ advice to the 15-year-old Van Kemp?

“Everyone said keep your head up,’’ Van Kemp said. “Be positive. Keep smiling. Never give up. I see everything differently now. This experience is just unreal. I just look at life amazingly right now.’’

Thankfully, Van Kemp recently was diagnosed as being in remission.

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About Wayne Fish 2539 Articles
Wayne Fish has been covering the Flyers since 1976, a stint which includes 18 Stanley Cup Finals, four Winter Olympics and numerous other international events.

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