COEUR d'ALENE - Here's how a friend describes Cindy Shirley: Loving, kind and caring, a woman who has cared for the elderly with great compassion.

"This is a lady who will spend all day working with her elderly friends, then go home on her own time and make them poodle skirts for a fun luncheon the next day," wrote Beve Root. "Or arrange a party for one of them. She has done so much for our community."

Now, Shirley could use a little help herself.

The 64-year-old was diagnosed with lung and brain cancer in September and has been fighting to stay in her job and continue caring for others.

With no medical or life insurance, Shirley is facing a growing mountain of bills with no way to pay them, so a fundraiser is scheduled 1-3 p.m. Sunday in Bay 1 at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

There will be entertainment, auctions, a bake sale and more, with donations going to Shirley, who recently underwent her third session of chemotherapy, has lost her hair and has been sick.

"She's not used to not having the energy to do everything she wants to do," said Shirley's daughter, Dori Ramsey.

Her mother, she said, has worked in the assisted living field, most recently as an administrator and activities director, dedicating herself to serving the elderly.

"She's just a very, very sharing, loving person, always putting everybody before herself," Ramsey said. "She makes sure her residents are well taken care of, well loved."

Her mom, she added is a "hugely compassionate person.

"I can't think of anybody that doesn't like my mom," she said.