We’re excited to introduce Liliana Funtal, one of our inspiring Mission Ambassadors at Change the Air Foundation. As Miss Swan City's Teen and a participant in the Miss America Scholarship Program, Liliana uses her platform to advocate for safer indoor environments—especially for young people and families. Her personal journey battling Lyme disease and mold-related illness has fueled her passion for raising awareness about the critical connection between indoor air quality and health. 

In this Q&A, you’ll get to know more about Liliana, her story, and why she’s so dedicated to making a difference.

What led you to want to become a mission ambassador for Change the Air Foundation? 

Change the Air Foundation has a huge place in my heart. As someone who has battled with Lyme disease, along with mold and mycotoxins in my home and body, I find it extremely important not just to educate people on this issue but also to be a voice to those who don't have one. 

In 2018, when I was in the fight of my life, I was struggling with joint pain, eating, a foggy brain, and so much more. Most days, I could only lie in bed. Once a week, by the grace of God, I got up and went to dance for two hours. Dance was my life. It was scary to think I might have to give that up. Today, looking back, I believe that helped keep me alive. To be so passionate about something, even when you struggle doing it, gives you the strength to push through. 

In my darkest times, when I couldn't walk, couldn’t eat, and most importantly, couldn't be a kid, I felt the weight of not knowing what my future would look like. During that time, I lost the ability to read, write, and do math. I didn't have time to stop and look around at what others were doing—I was too busy in the fight for my life. 

Throughout my health journey, I struggled severely with academics, and in my head, I thought I was incredibly behind because I had to start learning again from the beginning. Thankfully, homeschooling gave me the flexibility and resources to take my time with learning. 

Today, I am a dual enrollment student at a local college, and I am also on the dean's list. Having my family come alongside me and advocate for me forever changed my life. I’ve learned that when you do the right things for yourself, and treat your body with kindness and grace, you become unstoppable. 

Why do you think indoor air quality is an important issue, especially for young people?

We spend over 90% of our lives indoors—at school, at work, at home, and often where we play our sports. As a dancer of 14 years, I’ve danced in a studio where there was mold, gas leaks, and water damage. After dancing in that studio for three years, I started noticing joint pain, massive hair loss, constant fatigue, severe joint pain, and spiraling every night after dance. I have become so passionate about indoor air quality because I see the damage poor indoor air can do to our health.

I use my platform on social media to discuss the importance of clean indoor air and talk about Change the Air Foundation when at appearances, in interviews, and in everyday life. According to People Magazine, the average American will spend about 44 years of their life on screens, which also includes social media. As a young person, I consistently have to remind myself to get off screens and realize that social media is a tool that should be utilized wisely. On top of that, we are indoors too much, which creates the bigger problem of not getting enough sunlight and being exposed to harmful indoor air pollutants. This is why I am so passionate about helping my generation—before it's too late.

What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about indoor air quality since partnering with Change the Air Foundation?

One of the most surprising things I’ve learned is that mold is not just an allergy. A common misconception is that mold and mycotoxins might only give you a stuffy nose or a cold. But in my battle with mycotoxins, I experienced firsthand that they can be so much more serious than that. 

Mycotoxins can’t be killed. We are exposed to them when we eat certain kinds of food, inhale them, or absorb them through our skin. We have to be very aware of the places we spend time in and how our bodies react to the air in those places. Change the Air Foundation has lots of information on the health effects of mold and mycotoxin exposure on their website.

What did this health experience teach you? 

Through all of the ups and downs, all of the uncertainty, and all of the hard decisions, this experience taught me to have faith in whatever season I am in and to trust that there is a greater purpose for my life. 

Looking back, I can confidently say that, yes, it was one of the hardest things I've ever gone through—but so much fruit has come from it. And hey, I'm still young. I know there are many more challenges to come in my life, but I also know that whatever is thrown at me, I can handle it. With God, my family, and true friends who have stuck by me through thick and thin, I know I can make it through.