Man biking across Canada for kidney disease awareness stops in Ottawa

Dale Calibaba, a home dialysis patient, is riding his bike across the country. His goal is to raise awareness for home dialysis and organ donor registry. Calibaba was born with Alport Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder which affects the kidneys. After a failed kidney transplant and years of receiving dialysis treatment at a clinic he is now using a Peritoneal Dialysis Machine, which he can do from anywhere.

Calibaba’s trip started in St. John, Newfoundland June first. He will be cycling for 94 days on his journey back to his home to Kamloops, British Columbia.

“I want to reach out to all of the patients across Canada and show them that it doesn’t matter if you’re on dialysis, you can still be energetic and alive through physical activity,” says Calibaba.

His arrival to Ottawa means he is a quarter way through his journey. Calibaba will spend a day in the Capital with his daughter Haley, who drives a service vehicle alongside him as he bikes. The pair will take off Saturday July fourth for Sharbot Lake.