Volunteer driven to fund-raising heights by cyclist's commitment.(Chicago Tribune)

CHICAGO _ Dan Boland's work for the Lance Armstrong Foundation started as a fun, feel-good endeavor before Armstrong had won the Tour de France or Boland had firsthand knowledge of how cancer affects a family.

Three years later, Boland is one of the most ardent volunteers in the organization, and his mission has become much more personal. Boland's mother, Jacqueline, is undergoing a second round of treatment for breast cancer diagnosed in early 2000.

"It's not a cause I'm going to flame out of any time soon," said Boland, 43, of North Aurora, Ill..

Boland, an operations manager for the office construction company Turner Interiors in Chicago, solicited $93,000 in donations last year to be the top volunteer fundraiser for the foundation's Peloton Project. He did it by collecting checks ranging from $50 to several thousand dollars from friends, relatives and business associates, sometimes bringing up his mission in a casual remark during negotiations with subcontractors.

"Some of them know who Lance is, and some of them say, `Oh, that guy who rides the bike,"" Boland said. "As widely recognized as Lance is nationally, cycling is still a fringe sport. But most people you interact with have been affected by cancer.

"Americans like heroes and success stories. This is both. Other celebrities can fight back from a disease or be an advocate, but very few individuals have come back from something to be at absolutely the top of their field."

Boland first went to Austin, Texas, for Armstrong's annual Ride for the Roses benefit in early 1999 after his interest was piqued by a friend from Texas. He raised $2,500 for the foundation, then still small enough for Armstrong to host the volunteers' party at his home.