“I was introduced to it and fell in love with it and the freedom that it was able to give me to live my life as normal as anyone else can while being on dialysis,” he says.

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Raising a glass … of water

Now 46, Calibaba is about to prove just how portable the peritoneal dialysis machine is and just how much somebody with failing kidneys can accomplish. Today Calibaba starts an across Canada bike ride taking his portable peritoneal dialysis machine with him, of course.

“It’s a great little machine. It pretty much is my life support,” he says.

His plan is to cover about 75 miles a day, six days a week. In the evening, Calibaba will use the dialysis machine. He’ll be using his time on the road to raise awareness about kidney failure and the life people can live even if dialysis is to be a part of it. Calibaba has experienced the weakness and depression that can come from having kidney disease.

“I’ve been there. I’ve experienced everything. I decided to turn my life around and fight this disease and fight back and live with this disease successfully.”

Calibaba leaves St. John’s today.

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