Ask anyone who knows her, and they'll tell you Louise Christman is a fighter.

That's because for nearly six years, Christman of Bowmanstown has waged war in her battle against cancer.Now, her daughter, Lori, is asking the community to join in the fightin the form of a Bike Ride & Basket Raffle to benefit Christman, which will be held Saturday at The Orioles Nest 183 in Lehighton."I have a lot of friends standing beside me helping me," said Lori, who added she's thankful to all those who helped organize the event, along with the businesses who have shown support by way of gift certificates and prizes.Registration for the ride is from 10-11:30 a.m. Kickstands up at noon. The cost is $20 per rider, and $5 a passenger, and includes entertainment, food and beverages.The event will consist of a motorcycle run, basket raffle, food, beer, soda, water and desserts, along with entertainment from The Rock Villains. A basket raffle will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Anyone wishing to donate toward the basket raffle or bake sale, or for event tickets and more information, contact Lori at 484-629-5340, Sheila at 570-778-8049, or Sue at 570-778-0812.Checks can be made to the Louise Christman Benefit Fund.Christman said she's optimistic the event will be a success."I pray we have good weather, that it turns out good, and I hope I see a lot of people I haven't seen in a long time," she said. "I'm proud of how many people are stepping forward. I really appreciate it."The battleChristman, 68, has been fighting cancer since 2011, when a lump was discovered on her breast."In 2011 it was stated that I should not worry; it was just a fluid-filled cyst and not to worry," she said. "But in 2012, it got bigger, and I had a lumpectomy showing that it was cancer."From that point, Christman said she had various surgeries to remove more cancer, but the breast would not heal and kept draining, so she had to have another surgery and a wound vac was attached.When that didn't work, she went every day to the wound center and was put into the hyperbaric chamber for two hours daily until it healed."With all the radiation I had, it damaged my bone marrow, causing me to get myelodysplastic syndrome," she said. "As a result of this, I had many blood transfusions."Then her doctor in Philadelphia put her on chemotherapy known as Vidaza, which Christman said put cysts in her leg, eventually preventing her from walking and forcing her into a wheelchair.She said that required another surgery to remove the cysts so she could walk again, adding that the chemotherapy not only damaged her leg, but her lungs, and she now has interstitial lung disease.As if things weren't tough enough, in February, Christman's mother passed away.Despite being sick, Christman said she still managed to take care of her mother as best she could.Last month, she suffered a heart attack while she was a patient at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest.Strong support systemThroughout her battle, Christman has remained upbeat and kept her mind occupied.Christman was a member of Lehighton's 150th celebration, project coordinator for the borough's initial Christmas trees in the park event, is a member of Lehighton's Downtown Initiative, member of the borough's new Parks and Recreation Board, member of the Heritage Alliance for Lehighton, and the Orioles Nest in Lehighton."I'm just trying to keep myself busy and keep my mind off cancer," she said. "Being tied down kills me."When she was in better health, Christman also helped the borough's Shade Tree Commission plant several trees on the bypass in Lehighton.As she reflected on her situation, Christman said she's grateful to all those who have aided her during her time of need."My support system is my family, friends and my church, and everyone else who helped," she said. "I'm a fighter."