Friends of Amber Nyhon have organised a charity car show and community fundraising day on April 18 to support the 41-year-old mother-of-two as she battles breast cancer.
The family-friendly car show at Pioneer Park, showcasing classic, custom, hot-rod and unique vehicles, will precede a cruise through the Maniototo, before the convoy heads to Wedderburn for a barbecue lunch.
"This isn’t just about my cancer. It’s about everyone’s cancer, because everyone is affected by it," Mrs Nyhon said.
The event’s organiser, Alexandra local Aidan Helm, said it would be an event for the whole community.
"[At] its core this is about supporting a mum and showing up for her," he said.
Mrs Nyhon grew up in Alexandra and now lives there with her husband Shane and two young daughters, Bowie, 5, and Ashlyn, 9.
Diagnosed last year with triple negative breast cancer, she immediately started chemotherapy.
The night before her scheduled surgery, it was discovered the cancer had spread to her lungs.
"Hearing that was definitely the worst day of our lives," Mrs Nyhon said.
Refusing to take no for an answer, she sought treatment overseas.
The MD Anderson Cancer Centre in Houston, Texas, is now giving hope to the young family with a specialised treatment plan. Mrs Nyhon and her friend Abby Moran made the trip there earlier this year.
Specialist care, travel and associated expenses, while undergoing repeat rounds of chemotherapy, had placed significant pressure on the family, Mrs Nyhon said.
But support from the Alexandra community had been amazing.
"To be wrapped up in this much love, you can’t describe how it feels.
"I hope [the treatment] means that I get more time.
"More time with my daughters, my husband, my family and friends."
Mr Helm, who came up with the idea along with several of Mrs Nyhon’s close friends, said it was his first time organising a community event of this scale.
The Nyhons were his friends, and having already lost several friends to cancer he was determined to fight alongside them, he said.
"New Zealand has a great car and community culture and it doesn’t matter if it’s a motorbike or mobility scooter you bring along, the more the merrier."
After the barbecue lunch the event would continue into the evening with a ticketed event at the Alexandra Community Centre from 6pm.
The night would include raffles, auctions, a licensed bar, supper and live music.
Mr Helm and his team were hoping to make it a two-yearly event.
"If we can do anything to fight this, we will.
"What you realise is that so many people are in the same boat. So many people are fighting this too." — Allied Media
