When it comes to fundraising, Lana Mihell likes to take on sky-high, adrenaline-inducing challenges.
Last year, the Divisional Business Manager of KPU’s Faculty of Science repelled down the 25-story Guinness Tower in Vancouver. But this year, she decided to take to the skies – literally. On Aug. 31, Mihell made her first-ever skydive in Abbotsford to raise funds for type 1 diabetes research through Breakthrough T1D, a leading global research and advocacy organization.
“I love a challenge and enjoy adventure and I feel an urgency to support this research to achieve the breakthrough for those living with type 1 diabetes,” says Mihell. “We are so close and I passionately believe action is essential to create positive change.”
Mihell was diagnosed in 1994 and has been living with type 1 diabetes for most of her adult life. She has been fundraising and helping raise awareness for type 1 diabetes research, treatments and a cure ever since her diagnosis.
“The kind of support that I have received from the community, health-care, friends and family has changed and progressed throughout the years in a positive direction,” Mihell explains. “Research and education have definitely helped with my own acceptance and experience, and knowledge of this disease now also helps me to educate others.”
Part of her journey included volunteering to be part of a major clinical study run by UBC-Vancouver Coastal Health.
“In 2020, after being a participant in that ground-breaking research, I became keenly aware of how important research is to achieving a functional cure for all those who have type 1 diabetes. I asked lots of questions and then I got creative! What was going to raise awareness and attention to support type 1 diabetes research and who could I partner with?”
This year, she decided to take things to the next level and partner with Breakthrough T1D and find a perfectly good airplane to step out of. Breakthrough T1D has now asked her to continue as an ambassador.
When it came time to clamber into the plane and make the big leap, Mihell was feeling excited, and even more so when it came time to step out into the sky.
“Thinking back to stepping out, the word trust comes to mind,” Mihell recalls. “Once we were out of the plane, I was completely present and feeling the sensation of falling. My adrenaline was pumping for hours afterwards.”
Safely back on solid ground, Mihell had already exceeded her fundraising goal of $1,000 and, at the time of writing, had raised $2,044. Even though Mihell has landed safe and sound, donations are still being enthusiastically accepted on her fundraising page.
“Managing type 1 diabetes is a 24/7 job and I’ve chosen to be part of positive change by actively working and advocating for better care, reducing stigma, and of course raising funds for research,” Mihell says. “Even though the jump is over, I’m still encouraging people to continue to support my campaign as this goes directly to Breakthrough TD1 Research.”
She is thrilled with the support she has already received both this year and for her previous fundraising efforts.
“I’d like to say thank you to my friend and colleague, Laura McDonald, the Dean of Trades, who was my inspiration for skydiving. She made my first skydiving experience all that more enjoyable. Thank you also to Raj Patara from Breakthrough T1D who came out to cheer me on with her family. And not to forget my family for bearing with my adventurous spirit.”
Lana's fundraiser is still collecting donations here. If you’d like to learn more about type 1 diabetes, ongoing research, and other fundraising opportunities, she recommends visiting Breakthrough T1D, Diabetes Canada and BC Diabetes.
