HAUSER LAKE — Even while battling the challenges that come with having cancer, 6-year-old Lane Sanwald stays upbeat.

The Post Falls girl was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer of the muscle tissue, when she was 4.

"She likes to do everything and she's so easy to get along with and spunky," said Bethany Sanwald, Lane's mother. "She's just a warrior."

Lane and her family will benefit from Sunday's 31st annual Shalena's Breakfast with Santa Fundraiser that runs from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hauser Lake Fire Station.

"When we heard that Lane was chosen, we were pleasantly surprised," Bethany said. "It's always nice when you're going through something like this to know that people care and want to help. Total strangers will help us with their time and resources. We are very grateful."

Bethany, who moved here from Chicago two years ago just before Lane was diagnosed with cancer, said she hadn't heard of the fundraiser until she was recently notified.

However, it didn't take her long to learn all about it through multiple friends.

"When we told our friends, they were all excited because they knew about it very well," Bethany said. "It's an honor because we now know that it's a big deal."

Bethany said the family plans to attend the fundraiser with friends.

Lane, who is home-schooled, is taking chemotherapy treatments and has traveled to medical facilities as far as Phoenix and Mexico.

Bethany said Lane has insurance, but there's still a lot of costs associated with battling cancer. The proceeds from the fundraiser will be a relief, Bethany said.

"It will go to as many medical bills as possible," she said.

Bethany is a stay-at-home mom and her husband and Lane's dad Greg works at Dave Smith Motors. Lane has two sisters — Belle and Emmy — who have also helped support her through the ordeal.

The breakfast fundraiser helps families who have a child with cancer. It is held in remembrance of Shalena Mobbs, who lost her battle with cancer and is the daughter of Hauser Lake Fire Capt. Gary Mobbs and Tracie Payment.

Mobbs said Shalena was in seven different hospitals and the experience was a huge emotional and financial drain. He said the fundraiser is intended to give families in similar situations a lift and is a way many in the community can help during the season of giving.

"Unfortunately, we lost Shalena, but look at what she has done for many families," Mobbs said.

If you go

The 31st annual Shalena’s Breakfast with Santa will be held on Sunday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hauser Lake Fire Station, 10728 N. Hauser Lake Road. The breakfast includes eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, waffles, coffee and juice. The suggested donation is $3 per person or $10 per family. Raffle tickets will also be sold for $1 each.