Posted Friday, May 15, 2009 --- 3:00 p.m.

As one woman copes with a terminal diagnosis, the community she grew up in is rallying around her. As NBC 15's Michelle Riell reports, the community of Dodgeville is raising money and awareness for Sandy Cullen, something this community is used to doing for people in need.

Chris Lnidner says, "She is just so much fun to be around and just a real joy and you just fall in love with her right away, she's that kind of person." Chris Lnidner became fast friends with Sandy Cullen while they worked in the kitchen at Dodgeville High School. Sandy started work in the fall, a breast cancer survivor. Joyce Evans, a secretary at Dodgeville High School says, "At Christmas time it came back and it's just spread throughout her body."

Now, to help Sandy's husband and two sons, ages 22 and 5, and help with medical bills, the community is doing what it does best. Lnidner says, "I know that Sandy loves um, our baked goods, so that's what I decided to do for a fund raiser." The lunch ladies spent four hours "Raising Dough" for Sandy and ended up raising almost $2,000. Lnidner says, "It's the only way we can help her right now."

Dressed in pink, students are selling hand made bracelets and buttons. They're also collecting donations from about 20 classrooms during a Miracle Minute drive. They've raised more than $300 and spreading awareness, courage and hope. Evans says, "It's overwhelming, it just makes you so proud to be part of a community like this." Lnidner adds, "It's hard for her to believe everyone's doing this for her and um, but it's just a way of us showing her how we feel."

They will also be holding a benefit for Sandy Saturday with a poker run and silent auction. It will be held at Jeffery's in Dodgeville at 12 p.m.