COMMUNITY SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS.
The Kiva was built on and is sustained by community. Within our store there is a community. Surrounding our store is a community. And beyond even our beloved downtown, there is a larger community which we contribute to, which we are supported by, which inspires and enlivens our economy, our sense of individuality, our place, our time. In times of need and in times of celebration we turn to our community, however we define it, to support us, to uplift us, to sustain us. Please read on to learn how you as part of our community can support an individual.
About
Emily
Hi! It’s me,
Emily – your friendly Kiva Deli Clerk! I'm 28 years old and I come
from the beautiful town of Marquette, Michigan on the shores of
dazzling Lake Superior. I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in
photography from Northern Michigan University. I was drawn to the
west coast (and Oregon in particular) because of the art scene and
the amazing beauty of the mountains and the ocean. I came to Eugene
specifically because I visited in 2009, fell in love with the place,
and decided to move soon after. A great west adventure! It has been
my pleasure to work at the Kiva for the last two years, to meet and
serve all you wonderful people.
Cancer
Diagnosis
About one month after I
moved to Eugene I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin's Lymphoma. It
was an incredibly difficult struggle physically, mentally, and
financially. Thanks to the strength of friends (in particular my Kiva
family) I fought through, and on February 4th of 2011, I finished 6
months of chemotherapy treatment. I was considered "cured"
of my cancer at that point. Unfortunately, in March of this year, at
a routine scan, some unusual activity popped up between my lungs. A
biopsy was performed, and it looks as though my Hodgkin's is back for
round 2. (I don't know who it thinks it's messing with?!) It's a
scary road I'm about to walk down - but I WILL kick this thing again
- once and for all! My options are going to be expensive and taxing,
and I hope to sell my art as a way to help fund the heavy medical
bills I will (and already do) have to face. A great west adventure it
has truly been, but I'm happy to have the love and support of so many
amazing people in this beautiful little town.
Bike
Raffle
As a part of this lovely
community, I have had the pleasure to meet some really special
people. Among these are the lads down at Collins Bike Shop. Beyond
being incredibly supportive to me, they also donated this beautiful
bike to raffle off, to raise money for me! The raffle will run until
the 5th of July, and tickets are $1 a piece. You can buy
as many tickets as you like to increase your chance of winning. I am
on medical leave now from work, and all of the proceeds of this
raffle will go directly to me, to help support me through my coming
cancer treatment. This bike is worth $450.00 retail – so whoever
wins it will be getting a great deal, for a great cause!
Postcards of my
Photography are also on sale at the front of the store, with the
other cards, if you’d like to support my art! ♥
♥~Emily Nyman~♥
