Fighting cancer on two wheels.

That’s the motto of the “Illini 4000,” a 17-member bike team from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign who participate in a cross-country bike ride to raise money and awareness for cancer research.

Their mission is to raise funds for cancer research and patient support services, as well as spread awareness for the fight against cancer through annual cross-country bike rides.

Along the way, the nonprofit organization documents the American cancer experience through the Portraits Project, which gathers personal stories of how Americans cope with cancer, shaped by their unique life experiences and beliefs.

On Tuesday afternoon, the group passed through Lehighton, where members stopped for overnight rest and refreshment at Trinity Lutheran Church.

It marked the group’s third stop of 68 pedaling across the country, a roughly 4,800-mile trek that began Monday from New York City and wraps up Aug. 16 in San Francisco, raising awareness and funds for cancer charities.

Dev Dassani, one of the riders, expressed the group’s thankfulness to Trinity Lutheran Church for their hospitality.

“It’s been amazing so far; the church has been so welcoming, provided a meal to us, everyone’s been super friendly,” Dassani said. “It’s beautiful here in Lehighton, they have nice mountains, a lot of trees, (and) we biked here on the really nice D& L trail.”

Al Sellers, property chairperson, Trinity Lutheran Church, said the church was more than happy to accommodate the team’s needs.

“They like Lehighton,” Sellers said. “They’re a good group of kids.”

Fellow rider Sofia Sivilotti shared her perspective on the experience.

“It’s a unique experience that I’m very honored to be a part of,” Sivilotti said. “My grandma fought breast cancer right before I was born; I’m doing this to honor her.”

Sivilotti said she also enjoys bike riding, and was looking forward to meeting people across the country.

“We already have met a lot of awesome people, and seeing all the different walks of life that people live,” she said. “It’s a little bit daunting as anything of this scale would be.”

Sivilotti said that the team rolled out at 7 a.m. Wednesday on its way to its next stop in Milton.

“It’s an exciting challenge; it motivates me to know I’m with 16 other people that are just as excited to do it as I am and who I get to ride across the whole U.S. with every day,” she said. “I don’t know if I could do it if I was alone, but having the rest of the team with me makes it feel doable.”

Sivilotti added that the team is “very grateful of all the towns that host us, and it’s what makes this whole thing possible.”

The group’s first ride took place during the summer of 2007.

Over $1,302,500 has been raised and donated since 2006.

For more information, follow them at illini4000.org.