Royals sign 6-year-old cancer survivor to pro contract

The Kansas City Royals made a young boy's dream of becoming a baseball player come true.

On Thursday, the team officially signed six-year-old Rhylan Lopata to a pro contract, seven months after he was diagnosed with stage 3B Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Missouri's Make-A-Wish foundation prepared the ceremony during Lopata's immensely difficult but courageous battle, which saw him go through five cycles of chemotherapy and two weeks of radiation. It was announced in August that his cancer was in remission.

"I can’t express enough thanks. For everything we’ve been through, seeing Rhylan go through treatment and everything, just seeing it put a smile on his face just makes our day," Rhylan's father, Rick Lopata, told Pete Grathoff of the Kansas City Star. "I’m glad he’s having a good time today."

Rhylan was given a special jersey with his name and No. 4 on the back, and had the opportunity to hit the field with Royals All-Star first baseman Eric Hosmer before Thursday's game against the Minnesota Twins.