by HILARY ANAKA

Looking at Kim Mihalcheon today, you’d never know she faced a potentially lethal health situation just six years ago.

Two Toronto hospitals strongly suggested she start chemotherapy in April 2019 for what they had diagnosed as an inoperable tumour. Questioning all her options, Kim got a second opinion from neurosurgeon Dr. Keith Aronyk in Edmonton. Upon reviewing her MRIs, Dr. Aronyk suggested Kim meet with his colleague, Dr. Hadi Seikaly, at the University of Alberta Hospital’s Ear, Nose and Throat clinic.

It soon became clear that Kim’s tumour had been misdiagnosed. In the fall of 2019, she underwent life-saving surgery, and, within a short period, the pathology report came back stating Kim had never had a cancerous tumour at all, merely a large 14 oz. protein mass created by swelling fluid from past injuries. Not only did the surgery save Kim’s life, it allowed her to return to the things she loves — a life enriched by family, equestrian sports and the family business.

Steel-Craft Door Products Ltd. was founded in Edmonton in 1963 by Kim’s father, Art Mihalcheon, and remains a familyowned and operated company today. Steel-Craft has become a leader in garage door manufacturing, producing the highest quality door products for residential, commercial, agricultural and industrial applications. Proudly rooted in Edmonton, Steel- Craft operates across the country and remains 100 per cent Canadian, with all products made in Canada.

Like her father, Kim is a proud Edmontonian and strongly believes in investing in the community. “Much like my family before me, I want to participate in the city to make it better. Edmonton has been, and continues to be, the land of opportunity and being able to contribute in any way, small or large, is invaluable.”

In 2024, the Mihalcheon family made a transformational gift of $1 million to help fund Alzheimer’s research led by Dr. Jack Jhamandas and Dr. Lorne Tyrrell. The research team has developed a compound that appears to improve memory in small animals, and work is underway to transform the chemical compound into pill form and perform the testing required to reach human trials.

Kim speaks of the research with contagious optimism and deep respect. “Knowing the breakthroughs these doctors have made in their careers and the countless lives they’ve already saved — I don’t see funding this research as a bet, I see it as a sure thing.

“There are so many millions of people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s. This work they’re doing is critically important, and we want to make sure this research continues to advance further without delays. It’s incredible knowing how close they are in these advancements that will change the course for millions of people.”

Kim and her family are extremely grateful for the life-saving care she received in 2019 and are honoured to continue investing in the worldclass health research and innovation happening at the University of Alberta in Edmonton.

Just as Kim has followed her parents’ legacy of community and giving, her son, Austin Mihalcheon, is following hers. In 2024, he joined the inaugural group of University Hospital Foundation Igniters, a group of next-gen philanthropists who are donating and advising on how contributions are allocated.

“Knowing the amazing contributions that the University of Alberta has made in scientific research and discoveries that are not only affecting a small group of Albertans or Canadians but are having an impact around the world — it’s a remarkable experience to witness and be part of in a very, very small way,” says Kim.