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Anita Malekian BSc'25 (Mechanical Engineering)
Anita Malekian is looking forward to the Iron Ring Ceremony
A blood cancer diagnosis last fall delayed her getting her ring
A year ago, Anita Malekian was very, very busy. She was starting her last semester of mechanical engineering at Schulich. She had just wrapped up a stint as a research intern studying fluid dynamics at Technische Universität Berlin. She was in her fifth year with Schulich’s Petroleum and Energy Society (two years as president). She was also volunteering as an ambassador with Water Movement, which connects Indigenous water treatment operators.
And then she was diagnosed with lymphoma, a form of blood cancer.
My professors were really supportive, but I still had to get the work done. I had already finished so much of the semester that I refused to let cancer take away my degree. That’s what kept me going.
Anita Malekian BSc'25 (Mechanical Engineering)
“It felt like you're sprinting and then you suddenly hit a wall,” says Malekian. “The first two months of the fall semester, I was visiting the doctor, doing a lot of MRIs and different scans. That period when it was unknown, I was more stressed. But the day I found out exactly what it was, I actually became very, very calm.”
Malekian, whose cancer is in remission, knew that “freaking out every single day” was not going to serve her. “You just can't survive if you're constantly stressed, crying and upset,” she says. Instead, as she underwent chemotherapy, she was determined to stay busy and keep her mind off her cancer with candle making and other artistic pursuits.
And of course, she had to keep up with her studies, much of the time from a hospital bed. “My professors were really supportive, but I still had to get the work done. I had already finished so much of the semester that I refused to let cancer take away my degree. That’s what kept me going.”
Malekian, who was named a Top 30 under 30 in 2023, finished school late last year, finished chemo in January 2025, and attended her graduation ceremony in May. She missed the Iron Ring Ceremony last November but is looking forward to attending it this year.
In the meantime, as her immune system gets stronger, she’s back to volunteering—online tutoring, and selling her candles and other efforts to raise money for the Alberta Cancer Foundation. “It's such an amazing foundation to support. Every donation, big or small, helps fund life-saving research, treatments, and patient support programs,” she says.
While never planning to go public with her cancer ordeal, Malekian decided that sharing her story could help others in the same situation. “I find people often share the good sides of their life, but it's important to share the struggles too, so people know that they're not alone.”
Before starting her job search in the new year, Malekian is devoting much of her time to fundraising for cancer research and sharing her story. “It’s important to me to dedicate my time to meaningful activities that allow me to give back and stay connected with others,” she says. “Spending time with family, being in nature, and focusing on healthy, positive things has also been an important part of the journey and keeps me moving forward.”
As she leaves cancer behind, she’s grateful for the Schulich community. “People are ready to help you in those sorts of situations. And especially with engineering, you're not really doing the degree alone. You have a whole group of people backing you.”
How can you help?
Every donation to the Alberta Cancer Foundation fuels research into the causes of cancer in young people and supports patients through treatment. Donate to Anita’s fundraiser for the Alberta Cancer Foundation. Want to support in another way? Every candle purchased from Coco Bliss donates $5 directly to this fundraiser! Shop for a candle here.