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Many cyclists have made the trip across Canada, but few – if any – have done so without the use of their kidneys.
Dale Calibaba, 46, is making the trek from St. John’s, N.L., to Victoria, B.C., lugging along a dialysis machine to carry out the filtration process his kidneys would have naturally done.
He started his trip on June 1 and arrived in Ottawa on June 30, before heading on his way a few days later.
The Kamloops, B.C., resident has suffered from kidney failure for most of his life. Calibaba received a kidney transplant at the age of 18, but the organ failed just 18 years later. Since then, he has needed to use dialysis as he waits for another kidney transplant.
“I slipped into depression, was very overweight and gave up on life,” Calibaba said of the time shortly after his kidney failed.
He quickly snapped out of his funk by becoming very active and using home dialysis, rather than visiting the hospital three times a week.
He has used a method called peritoneal dialysis. The process includes injecting a cleansing fluid into an abdominal infection through a catheter to filter waste and salts. Calibaba said the home method has improved his quality of life, giving him the independence he needs to stay active.
Shortly after he started dialysis, Calibaba acquired a stationary bike for his home from the Shade Ireland Foundation, a group that helps renal patients keep physically fit.
“I had the dream of riding a bike across Canada when I rode my bike in my living room,” he said.
Calibaba enlisted the help of Ireland, the group’s founder, to serve as his coach in the lead up to the trip.
He said he wanted to carry out the cross country trek to boost awareness of the benefits of peritoneal dialysis and to let people with kidney failure know they can still live a normal life.
“I recommend to any dialysis patient that has to go on dialysis, to use home therapy,” Calibaba said.
“It does the same thing, but uses a different method. A lot of people don’t realize there are these forms of therapy out there. It sure gives me a lot more freedom than having to go to a clinic or hospital.”
He said he hopes his trip will also encourage more people to donate kidneys.
The cyclist has scheduled his trip to last 94 days, with days off in big cities to give talks at hospitals and clinics about peritoneal dialysis. Calibaba said he is looking to educate renal patients on how to live an active lifestyle on dialysis.
“I have so much energy and I get so frustrated when I go into clinics and see hemodialysis patients lying there so lifeless. It seems they’ve given up on life, and I’ve been there,” he said.
“I highly recommend that anyone who is told that they need to do dialysis, that they do home dialysis.”
To follow Calibaba’s progress, visit believeinthepossibility.org.
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