Photo credit to RDNewsNow

By Sheldon Spackman/RDNewsNow

Alberta man’s walk from Calgary to Edmonton still bringing in donations for Lung Association

Aug 20, 2020 | 1:36 PM

An Alberta man who walked roughly 330 kilometres from Calgary to Edmonton in support of the Lung Association says he would do it all again.

Chris Sadleir, 45, of Edmonton embarked on an 11-day journey from Aug. 7-17 to raise awareness about respiratory illnesses and the need for more organ donations.

“It felt great,” says Sadleir. “I was very surprised at how fast it actually flew by over the 11 days. It feels really good knowing that we hit our target too, and raised a new target and are still getting donations this week.”

Sadleir was inspired to do his trek following his father’s double lung transplant in 2016.

In addition to raising awareness, Sadleir’s ongoing fundraising efforts have now brought in over $26,000 for the Lung Association of Alberta and Northwest Territories, far surpassing his $22,000 goal. His new goal is now set at $33,000.

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Sadleir admits it was a grueling experience for both his mind and body.

“My body I think started to adjust,” he explains. “Maybe by the third day I was feeling really good and my body was used to doing 30 kms a day. The feet and the legs weren’t quite used to it, they got pretty mangled up – went through a lot of gauze, a lot of band aids, a lot of ointments, a lot of everything to keep healthy.”

Sadleir says the excursion offered him the chance to see the province from a different perspective.

“I saw parts of the province I’ve never, ever seen before,” he exclaims. “Like some of the backroads and highways – completely untouched, almost movie scene worthy. It was nice just to get caught up in that.”

Sadleir says Mother Nature also offered a variety of weather during his time on the road.

“The first day was a tough day because we got a horrible rain storm and thunder and lightning and everything in Calgary before we left,” he recalls. “The first few days we saw everything from strong head winds to big hills and rain and then some really hot days too.”

With his father and mother trailing in a support vehicle the whole time, Sadleir says the experience was one they’ll never forget.

“You’re never going to get to do that again,” suggests Sadleir. “After everything we’ve been through with my dad over the last four years, my parents said they would go absolutely squirrely if they weren’t with me on this trip. We’re all in agreement that this has been an absolutely unbelievable experience and truly memorable.”

To donate to Sadleir’s Walk to Breathe initiative, visit www.ab.lung.ca/walk2breathe

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