Page 30 - UHF_HereMagazine2025_21447

Paying it Forward
A former patient’s philanthropy
funds vital health research
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 family-
owned 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.”
30 HERE. 2 0 2 5
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 world-
class 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.
Image Supplied