Leukaemia survivor Dowel aiming for ARC

Troy Dowel is dreaming of a miraculous return to the Australia Rally Championship in 2025 despite being in a battle against leukaemia.

Having already beaten leukaemia before, sadly Dowel relapsed and the cancer returned to his system earlier this year.

However, a new trial drug called Blinatumomab has helped the Victorian make giant steps forward.

The next step in Dowel’s recovery will be a full bone marrow transplant in May and should his positive progress continue, the dream of returning to the ARC will be on the cards.

“I am extremely grateful to have been part of this revolutionary trial that looks to have helped me overcome and can’t thank all the people who have supported and helped me enough,” Dowel said.

“I was awfully saddened to be diagnosed with leukaemia again, but I stayed positive and was lucky enough to have a good support network around me and to take part in the trial.

“This alternative treatment gave me another chance to fight the disease because the leukaemia cells would have been resistant to traditional chemo treatments from my first battle.

“Obviously, there is still a fair way to go but the recent results have given myself and the family a real boost and we can see that there is light at the end of this dark tunnel.

“I am really looking forward to getting through the transplant and returning to normal life throughout the year and am hopeful that I will be in a rally car back in the ARC for the 2025 season.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone for their support during this tough time and I look forward to my ARC return next year.”

The 2024 Australia Rally Championship begins in Canberra on April 5-7.

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