Manitoba Renal Program welcomed Dale Calibaba to Winnipeg today. The B.C. dialysis patient has been biking across Canada for two months, covering more than 4,000 kilometres since leaving Newfoundland on June 1. In the morning Dale visited Health Sciences Centre’s Sherbrook Dialysis Unit to chat with patients who were biking while receiving dialysis. He then made way to a Welcome Celebration that took place at St. Boniface Hospital where he addressed a crowd of patients, staff and community members.
Dale shared his story of kidney disease and treatment and what inspired him to bike across Canada. “I was lethargic. I was overweight.” Dale said being active helped him get out of a depression, lose weight and motivated him to achieve his dream of biking across the country. “I realized I was 46 years old and not getting any younger,” he said. “I also wanted to show people what was possible.”
MRP nephrologist Clara Bohm was also on hand to welcome Dale and share the results of the MRP exercise challenge he inspired. “I am proud to say that amongst our dialysis units, home dialysis patients, kidney health clinic patients, staff and supporters we logged over 11,000 kilometres and 135,000 minutes of physical activity.”
MRP Patient Joseph Kollar, also an avid cyclist, had messages of encouragement for dialysis patients wanting to start being active. “Start small – maybe one block of walking. Then maybe one kilometre.”
Several attendees excitedly chatted with Dale after the event, sharing their stories and talking about how he has been an inspiration to them.
Dale will be leaving Winnipeg from Westdale Community Centre (550 Dale Blvd) Friday, July 31 at 10 am for those wishing to see him off or join him on his ride.