When Michelle Katz of Vancouver, BC was asked to create a capstone project for school, she didn’t just think about grades — she thought about how she could make a difference. Her idea was simple but powerful: turn her love of crochet into a way to give back in memory of her father who lived with type 2 diabetes.
“My dad was my hero,” Michelle recalls.
And so, Michelle launched CozyCreations byMich, a handmade crochet business, and committed to donating every dollar of profit to Diabetes Canada, in memory of her father who lived with type 2 diabetes.
“Crocheting is something I love, and this way, I could support a cause that truly means the world to me,” Michelle says.
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The relentlessness of diabetes
Michelle’s connection to diabetes runs deep. Her father lived with this complex condition for years, while working as a lawyer. Even as a young child, Michelle saw how relentless diabetes can be; it demanded his constant attention, particularly as her father developed several diabetes-related complications.
Living with diabetes can double the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious vascular conditions. Michelle’s father experienced heart attacks, strokes, and neuropathy, leading to the amputation of some of his toes due to the reduced blood flow in his feet.
By the end, he could no longer walk, speak, or remember his children’s names. Michelle was just 10 when he passed away.
Crocheting for diabetes, stitch by stitch
That loss became Michelle’s motivation. Michelle spent hours designing and crafting items, promoting her work, and sharing her story — all with the goal of funding groundbreaking research and supporting advocacy.
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Since her father’s passing, Michelle has learned how groundbreaking research can lead to innovations in the care and treatment of diabetes can be life-changing and even lifesaving.
In a class assignment, she was tasked with researching an organic molecule for her Chemistry class, and she immediately knew she wanted to study insulin, due to the connection it has been diabetes and her interest in researching anything diabetes related.
That project opened her eyes to how incredible advances in diabetes technology – devices like continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps – have improved the management of diabetes and aided in the prevention of diabetes-related complications. While her father never had access to these diabetes devices in his lifetime, she hopes that technology can make managing diabetes easier.
“Seeing a mentor thrive thanks to a CGM showed me how much technology can improve quality of life,” Michelle says. “I want to help make that possible for more people.”
Imagining a future free of diabetes
Michelle now dreams of a future free of the effects of diabetes.
Last summer, Michelle joined Shad, a STEAM and entrepreneurship program offered at 26 universities across Canada. At Western University in London, Ontario, she explored innovation and leadership alongside other passionate students. Before attending, each participant created a video about what inspires them. For Michelle, the answer was clear: her father’s journey and her desire to help families affected by diabetes.
“In the future, I want to be able to support families during emergencies by either becoming a paramedic or a doctor, while also doing diabetes research on the side to hopefully help find a cure for it,” she says. “I believe a cure will come in my lifetime.”
Learn more about Diabetes Canada's investments in research.
“My dad was my hero,” Michelle recalls.
And so, Michelle launched CozyCreations byMich, a handmade crochet business, and committed to donating every dollar of profit to Diabetes Canada, in memory of her father who lived with type 2 diabetes.
“Crocheting is something I love, and this way, I could support a cause that truly means the world to me,” Michelle says.
The relentlessness of diabetes
Michelle’s connection to diabetes runs deep. Her father lived with this complex condition for years, while working as a lawyer. Even as a young child, Michelle saw how relentless diabetes can be; it demanded his constant attention, particularly as her father developed several diabetes-related complications.
Living with diabetes can double the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious vascular conditions. Michelle’s father experienced heart attacks, strokes, and neuropathy, leading to the amputation of some of his toes due to the reduced blood flow in his feet.
By the end, he could no longer walk, speak, or remember his children’s names. Michelle was just 10 when he passed away.
Crocheting for diabetes, stitch by stitch
That loss became Michelle’s motivation. Michelle spent hours designing and crafting items, promoting her work, and sharing her story — all with the goal of funding groundbreaking research and supporting advocacy.
Since her father’s passing, Michelle has learned how groundbreaking research can lead to innovations in the care and treatment of diabetes can be life-changing and even lifesaving.
In a class assignment, she was tasked with researching an organic molecule for her Chemistry class, and she immediately knew she wanted to study insulin, due to the connection it has been diabetes and her interest in researching anything diabetes related.
That project opened her eyes to how incredible advances in diabetes technology – devices like continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps – have improved the management of diabetes and aided in the prevention of diabetes-related complications. While her father never had access to these diabetes devices in his lifetime, she hopes that technology can make managing diabetes easier.
“Seeing a mentor thrive thanks to a CGM showed me how much technology can improve quality of life,” Michelle says. “I want to help make that possible for more people.”
Imagining a future free of diabetes
Michelle now dreams of a future free of the effects of diabetes.
Last summer, Michelle joined Shad, a STEAM and entrepreneurship program offered at 26 universities across Canada. At Western University in London, Ontario, she explored innovation and leadership alongside other passionate students. Before attending, each participant created a video about what inspires them. For Michelle, the answer was clear: her father’s journey and her desire to help families affected by diabetes.
“In the future, I want to be able to support families during emergencies by either becoming a paramedic or a doctor, while also doing diabetes research on the side to hopefully help find a cure for it,” she says. “I believe a cure will come in my lifetime.”
Learn more about Diabetes Canada's investments in research.