A team of riders has gone from raising nothing to more than $40,000 last year.

After noticing more and more issues with cancer around him, Michael Hill decided he wanted to make himself healthier and find a way to give back.

His answer? The Ride to Conquer Cancer, presented by Silver Wheaton and benefiting the B.C. Cancer Foundation, which Hill will be riding Aug. 27 and 28.

B次元官网网址淚 could sit at home on my couch and watch T.V. or I could go for a ride with teammates on Saturdays and go out and do this,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭he biggest thing was learning more about this disease and being able to help.B次元官网网址�

Hill and 14 fellow cyclists and five volunteers represent Team Nova in the two-day ride of approximately 235 kilometres.

The team raises funds through various events. Hill recently participated in a fundraiser run on Bear Mountain and will be selling 50/50 tickets at the Victoria HarbourCats game on Aug. 6.

He and his wife are also planning a beer and burger night in Langford.

Hill started cycling the same year he began participating in the ride, going from raising very little to more than $40,000 as a team in 2015. This year the teamB次元官网网址檚 goal is to again ensure every cyclist raises more than $2,500 with the help of their volunteers.

B次元官网网址淨uite often people ask if the weather has not been co-operative on the rides B次元官网网址� Well, the people who get chemo or radiation, they donB次元官网网址檛 have an option,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檇 do this whether it is raining or snowing. It makes me feel good when IB次元官网网址檓 out there.B次元官网网址�

In B.C., the ride has raised more than $70 million since 2009, making it one of B.C.'s largest cycling fundraisers. All funds raised stay local, such as to the B.C. Cancer Agency for research, treatment, education and care. Across Canada it has raised more than $325 million.

B次元官网网址淥ne of the best parts is when we get the grand total on the Saturday morning before we ride and they announce what we have raised for the year,B次元官网网址� Hill said.

B次元官网网址淛ust hearing that grand total and going to the B.C. Cancer Agency on tours and seeing the equipment that has been purchased through our efforts (is amazing).B次元官网网址�

With plans to continue his cycling efforts, Hill has only one major goal remaining.

B次元官网网址淩ealistic or not, (my goal) is to see this come to an end. I have friends who are waiting to see if (cancer) is going to come back, I have friends who know it has come back and some friends that IB次元官网网址檝e lost because of it,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚f I can help make that change, I will do what it takes.B次元官网网址�

To support Hill and his team in their fundraising efforts, email him at mustangm@shaw.ca

alim@goldstreamgazette.com