Larissa Franklin learned her cancer was in remission just three days before the start of Softball Canada's training camp this month, and she got herself back on the team.
She's in the team photo, with a trace of hair growing back, and a big smile.
The Maple Ridge athlete will be in the outfield for Team Canada for her 13th season, despite being diagnosed with lymphoma, and needing chemotherapy. Franklin lost her long, blonde hair, but never the athlete's deep desire to train and prepare.
"I learned so much about myself through it," she told The News, on a call from Ontario.
Franklin said she had felt "something was off," and the diagnosis actually wasn't a shock. A year ago, she felt a bump in front of her ear. A biopsy in December said it was suspicious for lymphoma, and in January it was confirmed as an aggressive form of the cancer.
At first she felt that sports no longer mattered – she just needed to get healthy. But as her treatment progressed, Franklin became determined to keep her place in the Team Canada lineup, and wouldn't let go of her goal to play in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
She had to adapt – to give what she could, but also give herself a break.
"I needed to learn it's okay to slow down, and it's okay to just read a book," Franklin said.
The chemo left her exhausted – going to bed at 7:30 p.m. She couldn't get frustrated by training sessions where she did just 80 per cent of the normal Franklin training.
"I had to be okay with doing less – being content with what I had to give."
At the same time, she maintained discipline and a determination to get back on the field.
Her teammates and friends, whom she called "an incredible support system," helped her through the cancer journey.
"I always knew I had a lot of people in my corner, but I didn't know I had that many," said Franklin. "I had to let them in to help."
She said the battle she went through gave her an appreciation for the advancements in medicine, how research has paid off, and chemotherapy has been made less of an ordeal than in the past. She heard that from a loved one.
Her grandmother Linda Moore, a Maple Ridge resident and Larissa's biggest fan, had cancer 40 years ago. The two women could compare their experiences.
"We could talk about how it felt losing her hair, and me losing mine," she said. "I can't imagine if we had lost her."
On June 7, three days before the team started camp, Franklin learned her cancer was in remission.
Being named to Team Canada this year was unlike any of the previous 12 seasons.
"It definitely was extra special," she said of the meeting when her coach told her she was back on the team. "We had a moment. There were tears. We knew it was more than sport."
Her coach with the national team is Kayleigh Rafter, who is also the team's longtime catcher, was moved to watch her teammate of 12 years came through this trial. They talked early on about how Franklin needed softball to look forward to.
"It was really awesome to be able to see her get a clean bill of health, and be able to come back and be around her teammates," said Rafter. "And she hasn't missed a beat."
"She's a pretty special person with her love for people, and her love for being around this sport," Rafter added. "We're glad she's back with us."
"She's back to being that high performance athlete."
Franklin and team Canada will play a couple of team red/team white inter-squad scrimmage games in Ontario, then she will be among 16 players headed to Colombia for the 2025 WBSC Americas Women’s Pan American Championship on June 27.
She is also among the 21 Canucks who will take the field in Surrey for the 2025 Canada Cup on July 7-13.
Franklin sees a team that's got a great pool of talented young athletes, who are continuing to develop, and she's part of a strong group of veteran leaders.
"We know the expectations, and we know the culture," she said of the experienced players.
She has developed into a leader on the team over the years.
"Sometimes you're wondering who is going to speak up, and then realize it has to be you."
"We will definitely compete," she said. "The expectation in Columbia is to be in that final game, and secure gold."
