Meet Cal Sobering: A Heart Attack Survivor and 2026 Honouree
This year, we will be honouring Cal Sobering, a heart attack survivor whose personal journey
highlights the life-saving impact of the Heart & Stroke Foundation.
Our annual event began in 2002, and Cal’s dedication and upbeat attitude have played a
huge part in helping our event stick around all these years.
Cal worked for one of the original sponsors, Frontier Toyota, where he and his coworkers
formed a team that brought friendly competition to the ice. Beyond sponsorship, Cal
consistently stepped up wherever help was needed. He prepared the ice for curlers, or he
used his loud voice to make announcements (no megaphone required).
In August 2018, Cal woke up feeling nauseous, but went to work at the dealership anyway.
Known for his strong work ethic, he initially felt reluctant to go to St. Boniface Hospital’s
Emergency Room.
Later that evening, doctors told Cal he had experienced a heart attack. In his hospital room,
he thought about how his health would not only impact him, but the people in his life.
“I felt like I had left everyone in a bit of a lurch, because I wasn’t going to be able to do things
the way I’m supposed to,” said Cal. He had planned to attend a football game with friends
that weekend and struggled to step away from his routine.
“Saturday morning, after my angiogram, I was full of energy, because it was the first time
blood was flowing in my body the way it’s supposed to.” Cal credits the Cardiac Rehab
program supported by the Heart & Stroke Foundation, along with the care he received at St.
Boniface Hospital, for his chance to receive a second chance at life.
Cal once downplayed his health needs, but now he hopes his story can remind people to
show up for themselves even when it's not always the easiest thing to do.
Teams can choose to support the Heart & Stroke Foundation or another great charity,
KidSport Manitoba, which helps kids access organized sports.
