Despite living with kidney disease and having needed life-sustaining hemodialysis treatments for the past eight years, Leno Benetton, who just turned 97, is living a full life as British Columbia’s oldest dialysis patient.
Leno lives in the District of Sparwood in the East Kootenay region. To meet his treatment needs, he goes to the Sparwood Community Dialysis Unit weekly. There, staff make sure he is well taken care of during his three-and-a-half-hour visits. The treatments involve a hemodialysis machine that filters waste and extra fluids from the bloodstream, functioning similarly to healthy kidneys.
“Leno can attribute part of his good health to the dialysis treatments and the additional support his care team provides, but he is also doing very well taking care of himself,” says Brianna Mayer who works in the region as a renal dietitian. “Leno still drives, lives in his own home, cooks his own food and is very sharp. We are very impressed he still lives an active life in his home community, and he even gets out for some fun at his local casino.”
A life-long worker and volunteer
Brianna says when she asked him what his secret was to doing so well, he said he has been working since he was 13. In fact, he had a very active start to working life with at least 10 different jobs between the ages of 13 and 18.
He continued to have a long and varied career, including three years with the Air Force in the early 1950s and ending with running a general store in Elkford, BC from 1982 to 1997 with his wife, Edith.
He also has been a very active volunteer for a number of causes. This industriousness showed through in recent years when Leno fundraised $39,000 for the Sparwood dialysis unit.
“Leno identified areas in the dialysis unit that could be improved, and he decided he was going to do something about it,” says Paula Canlas, a dialysis nurse at the Sparwood unit. “He went to local businesses and asked for donations. The money Leno raised was used to purchase dialysis chairs, an ultrasound machine, and side tables. He also received a donation to replace the four TVs at each station.”
She goes on to say, “Thanks to Leno, these donations have helped enhance the dialysis experience for many patients. He is a true inspiration to everyone!
Currently, the Sparwood Community Dialysis Unit has three to four staff who serve about five patients each week, with most patients receiving treatments three times per week.
A great attitude despite losses
Many of Leno’s family members have had kidney disease because they share Alport syndrome, an inherited disease that damages the tiny filters of the kidneys and can be passed down from either parent. He has lost a sister, brother, niece and nephew, who all had both diseases and received dialysis treatment further west in Trail, BC. There is ongoing international research to better understand and treat Alport syndrome.
Leno has also recently lost his beloved wife due to other health challenges.
Despite these significant losses, Leno is still looking on the bright side and says, “My goal is to live to at least 100!”
About hemodialysis in BC: To learn more, see BC Renal’s Hemodialysis web page.
This BC Renal story was first published on Nov. 7, 2025 and is shared with permission.
