Dialysis patient Shad Ireland rode his bike into Washington last week, finishing a 4,639-mile bike trek across the United States to promote exercise and diabetes prevention. Ireland, 37, began his tour in May in Los Angeles. He must get a blood transfusion every four days, which takes about for about 4 1/2 hours each time.
Why are you riding across America?
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The goal was to ask people what inspires them. I believe an individual inspired can accomplish anything. I met a gentleman in New Orleans, 49 years old, who was frustrated and angry and didn’t understand how he developed the disease that caused his kidneys to fail. This is somebody we could have fixed had he had the right information. Somebody we cold have given a pill to.
I asked myself, how could I make a difference?
You are the first dialysis patient to complete an Ironman competition? What inspired you to do that?
At age 10, I was told I wouldn’t live past 25. I tried to cram as much living as possible. Before I was 25, I lost my first kidney transplant and fell into a coma. I dropped from 145 pounds to 75 pounds and was given six months to live. I was on the couch at my house when I saw the Ironman on the TV, and it saved my life. It’s a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike and a marathon 26-mile run without a break.
At 95 pounds, I walked in the clinic and announced that I was going to do the Ironman. That was followed by a lot of laughter. So far, I’ve finished 18 Ironman triathlons.
What has the response been like on your bike across the country?
We’ve visited 13 states and nearly 100 dialysis clinics. It’s been amazing. It’s been inspiring. An 80-year-old woman told me, “I can’t do what you do, but I think I can do more.” That’s really why I’m doing this ride. To get people to look at what they are doing. If I can get on my bike and do what I did, maybe someone will say, “I can get up and walk to the mailbox.”
