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Kelowna podcaster giving back through donation to CMHA Kelowna Branch

November 22, 2021 By Communications Leave a Comment

Lucas Cullen understands the need to talk, and also to listen. He does that on his weekly podcast.

But more importantly, he understands the need to act.

For those reasons, and many more, Lucas Cullen is supporting the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Kelowna branch.

Cullen recently brought his cheque to the CMHA Kelowna office, then had his photo taken with a much larger version. His smile indicates what his heart is feeling.

“It’s a very surreal feeling, and anytime you get to give back, you do because you know it’s going to a good place, and it’s for something that obviously bigger than all of us,” said Cullen. “I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without the help of professionals. That’s what’s most important, and anytime I can give back I want to. I know that will be till the day I die. I owe it to that.”

Today Cullen is supporting CMHA Kelowna with his donation of $1,400, but it’s a culmination of what he started more than a year ago when he launched his website www.strugglecreatesstrength.com.

Over the course of the past year, Cullen discovered that while he started out to help himself,  he could help many others who were struggling as well.

“The reason I started this is that I felt I was in a rut myself, and I wanted to basically showcase that we all have these ups and downs, we all have our stories, and I really just wanted to give other people hope through seeing other people’s stories,” explained Cullen. “Through seeing those struggles, through seeing that it’s real people that are struggling, we can actually learn that we can actually relate to all of these people. These relatable stories actually give us an opportunity to speak what we’re feeling, what we’re experiencing and what struggles we’re actually encountering.”

Cullen hosts the weekly Struggle Creates Strength Podcasts. You can find all the episodes, including his most-recent conversation with Morgan Skinner, who excelled at hockey until a series of concussions took her out of the game, here. He’s also spoken with Josh McLaughlin, another hockey player, and with Tyler Smith, a member of the Humboldt Broncos who survived the bus crash which took the lives of his teammates, coaches and friends.

“Through listening to these stories, I wanted to take a leap of my own, which was pushing myself, because I had obviously taken myself from severe struggle and pain and a lot of depression, and all forms of different mental health struggles, and actually translated that into something positive,” said Cullen. “I wanted to do something of even greater impact, which I saw as exemplifying that through running.

“So I embarked on a couple of crazy journeys.”

November, or Movember, is known as Canadian Men’s Health Month.

Ironically, this year’s theme is Move For Your Mental Health.

Lucas Cullen certainly took that theme to heart this past summer with a series of runs which tested his mental fortitude.

He took part in a 52.5 kilometer run through the mountains in Victoria.

He then travelled to Ontario and ran from Guelph to Goderich. That event, wait for it… 121-km.

He finished his trek with a 40-km run in Kelowna.

“Every single run was, obviously, it was a lot of physical pain. But every single time it did get tough, I kept thinking about the cause of it, and even my own struggles relating back to the cause,” said Cullen. “But I was also thinking about the people who were struggling, and who’ve been through a lot, or are going through a lot. I’m there just showing, even if you were once encountering these mental struggles, where it’s a struggle to get out of bed, eventually at some point I believe you can bring yourself to a point where you’re kind of inducing pain on yourself because you want to challenge yourself for positive reasons – instead of the strain and struggle we can’t necessary control.”

Cullen started a Gofundme.org page when he started his series of runs.

“It wasn’t even necessarily about the money. It was about creating conversation,” added Cullen. When you set out on these fundraisers, even though people may not donate, they’re going to talk about it.

“It’s always a bonus to be able to create something and create conversation in the meantime.”

Well, the support for Lucas Cullen’s runs did pour in.

Wendy Wright, CMHA Kelowna’s Fund Development Manager, was there to receive the donation.

“I think first of all, he’s to be commended for giving a very brave and bold voice to a movement. He’s helping many who are struggling by being an ambassador in the community and saying, ‘Look at what I’ve gone through, look at what I’ve achieved, and look at what’s next’,” said Wright. “By supporting CMHA Kelowna, Lucas is highlighting and showcasing what we are doing, which, in a nutshell, is mental health for all. How do we get that? Well, we get to that through our housing and homelessness services, our Foundry Kelowna mental health services for youth and families, and our Discovery College programs. There’s a lot we do and we want people to know and understand that there’s access out there if you are hurting, if you are struggling.”

To donate to the Canadian Mental Health Association Kelowna branch, please click here.

And, we thank you!

Filed Under: News Tagged With: CMHA Kelowna, fundraising, mental health, support, Wellness

JDS Mining is using its own resources to support The Payton & Dillon Budd Memorial Ride

June 6, 2019 By Leave a Comment

JDS Energy & Mining has come on board as a partner sponsor of The Payton & Dillon Budd Memorial Ride, presented by the Thomas Alan Budd Foundation, which raises funds the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Kelowna branch.

“Our business is based on people,” says Jeff Stibbard, CEO of JDS Energy & Mining. “Mental health impacts all of us, whether in the workplace, at home or in the community. We all have a connection to this cause which is why it is important to us to support and participate in this event.”

CMHA Kelowna Executive Director Shelagh Turner says mental health is everyone’s business, “It really does affect all of us. That’s why we are pleased to have JDS Mining & Energy on board. They are helping to raise awareness that no matter who you are, where you work, or what you do, mental health has to be a priority – for all of us.”

Nationally known as Ride Don’t Hide, the event in Kelowna is named after two brothers in the community who lost their lives. The Payton & Dillon Budd Memorial Ride is for all ages and abilities. Last year, 500 people came out to ride. This year’s event will utilize the Okanagan Rail Trail for a 6km, 25km or 50km bicycle ride that will start and finish at the Baseball Diamond at the Kelowna Curling Club and. New for 2019 is the addition of a 4 or 6km walk to Knox Mountain Park.

Money raised at the event go to essential CMHA Kelowna programs and services in our community, workplaces and schools – programs that help people live their best lives.

Registration for all routes is $40 or you can choose to sign up as part of Budd’s 100 to more than double your fundraising efforts. When you join Budd’s 100, you agree to raise $100 for CMHA Kelowna and your $40 registration fee is automatically waived. PLUS, thanks to the generosity of the Thomas Alan Budd Foundation, when you select this option your $100 in fundraising will be matched AND thank you to BNA Brewing Co. who has come on board to match an additional $25. That’s $125 in matching donations for everyone who signs up for Budd’s 100! To register, donate of volunteer at The Payton & Dillon Budd Memorial Ride visit www.ridedonthide.com/kelowna

Filed Under: News Tagged With: #GETLOUD, awareness, CMHA Kelowna, community, event, fundraiser, fundraising, mental health, prevention, recovery, support

Registration opens for community mental health ride

January 22, 2019 By Leave a Comment

A community that comes together to let anyone who may be struggling with their mental health know – they are not alone. That’s the vision of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Kelowna and that’s the goal of the organization’s annual community event, The Payton & Dillon Budd Memorial Ride.

Registration is now open for the 2019 ride taking place this June 23. Last year, the day saw more than 500 riders rally together to raise money and awareness for mental health and suicide prevention.

“It was such an incredible feeling to see hundreds of people standing, and riding, together,” says Shelagh Turner, CMHA Kelowna’s Executive Director. “There were smiles and tears but most importantly – there was understanding that if you are struggling, you don’t have to hide, you don’t have to stay silent. That’s what we want this ride to represent, that as a community we are here to support you.”

Nationally known as Ride Don’t Hide, the event in Kelowna is named after two brothers in the community who lost their lives. The Payton & Dillon Budd Memorial Ride is for all ages and abilities. New to the Kelowna event this year is a special walking portion called Stride Don’t Hide as well as new bike routes that take riders along the scenic Okanagan Rail Trail.

A popular element of last year’s event is back for this year. Any rider who signs up for Budd’s 100 and agrees to raise $100 will have their $40 registration fee automatically waived and, in a significant show of support from the Thomas Alan Budd Foundation, their $100 in fundraising will be matched.

Individuals, families and teams can register now for The Payton and Dillon Budd Memorial Ride taking place June 23, 2019 at www.cmhakelowna.com/rdhkelowna. The ride start and finish line will be located at the baseball diamond at the Kelowna Curling Club. This year’s event includes two walking routes through Knox Mountain, a 6.5 KM Kids and Family route, a 20 KM route and a 50 KM Advanced route. The event will raise money for essential programs and services in our community, workplaces and schools – programs that help people live their best lives.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: #GETLOUD, CMHA Kelowna, community, fundraiser, fundraising, mental health, mental health ride Kelowna, Payton & Dillon Budd Memorial Ride, Ride Don't Hide Kelowna, suicide prevention, Tom Budd Kelowna

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