Burnaby cyclist joins the fight against cancer in fundraiser

One August day 10 years ago, three-year-old Scarlett Drabble was gripped by a high fever that never subsided.

A doctor’s visit confirmed her parents' worst fears. The fever presaged a cancer diagnosis, and she was taken to an intensive care ward for treatment.

Her father, Paul Drabble, remembered the day like none other — the feeling of simultaneous panic and numbness taking over while his wife burst into tears.

Recalling the initial days of Scarlett’s leukemia diagnosis, Drabble said she had a fever without any of the other symptoms associated with a flu or bad cold, going on four days.

When nothing seemed to help her, she took a blood test. Her parents then rushed her to the emergency ward at BC Children’s Hospital.

In a triage room, staff performed tests; a doctor returned to inform them of Scarlett’s leukemia diagnosis.

It was disorienting news.

“It’s hard to really know what to think," Paul Drabble said. "Is my daughter going to die today, or what?

“You have a normal life just going about your business, going to work and doing your shopping and suddenly, you're in an intensive care ward and in oncology department. And you're looking around and seeing things that you've only ever seen on TV shows and this is your new reality.”

But with time and treatment, there was a happy outcome.

Following two years of doctor meetings, tests, medical procedures and chemotherapy treatments, Scarlett's cancer went into remission, and now 10 years later, she is a happy, healthy 13-year-old, excited about high school.

This year, to mark the 10-year anniversary of her cancer diagnosis, Paul Drabble will participate in the “Tour de Cure” cycling fundraiser as a tribute to Scarlett and her courage and resilience.

Each year, the BC Cancer Foundation hosts the event, in which thousands of cyclists across B.C. pedal to raise awareness about cancer and raise funds to help cancer patients.

On Aug. 26 and 27, Drabble, a longtime cyclist, will join around 2,000 other riders for a two-day, 100 km ride from Cloverdale to Hope.

“I want to give back to BC Cancer Foundation,” he said. “I've been thinking about it for a while. I think I needed a push and the 10 years is symbolic.”

Drabble will be joining the ranks of team Finn, a group of around 40 riders who have been cycling for over 10 years. The team was started by a family who lost their son, Finn, to cancer years ago.

The goal for Drabble, aside from raising money for the cause, is to raise awareness. “I want to [ask] people to just pay attention and get involved because it can happen to anyone,” he said. “I shudder to think about that. If we just held off for one more day before talking to the doctor, we could have lost her,” he added.

Tour de Cure is B.C.’s biggest cycling fundraiser and will see over 2,000 riders join the fight against cancer and help powering life-saving research and enhancements to care in British Columbia. To donate to Drabble’s campaign, visit website. https://tourdecure.ca/participant/2932299/4245