Charlee Thomas, Keremeos Rodeo Queen, Returns to Riding After Juvenile Dermatomyositis Treatment

Charlee Thomas, the current Keremeos Rodeo Queen, was diagnosed at age seven with juvenile dermatomyositis, a rare autoimmune disease that attacks blood vessels and weakens muscles. She spent a week in BC Children’s Hospital by age ten, where doctors administered a specialized medication regimen to reset her immune system. Two months after her hospitalization, Thomas was back in the saddle, competing again and representing the Keremeos Rodeo at events across British Columbia.

Thomas’s story is featured in the BC Children’s Hospital Dream Lottery fundraising campaign. The lottery, which offers grand‑prize home packages and cash awards, supports groundbreaking pediatric research and treatment development. Tickets for the 2026 Dream Lottery remain on sale until October 9, 2026.