A man at the forefront of Ottawa's fundraising efforts for cancer has been fighting his own battle with the disease.

Steve West is CEO of Nordion, a company that provides medical isotopes to diagnose and treat cancer. And as co-chair of the Ottawa Hospital Foundation's cancer campaign he helped raise $20 million to double the size of the hospital's cancer centre.

In September, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and became a patient at the centre.

For the past four months, he's been going there for chemotherapy. His final session was Friday, earning him the opportunity to ring the ceremonial 'victory bell' in the centre.

He credits the hospital for his speedy recovery and for allowing him to keep working. Many colleagues didn't even know he was ill.

"It's always so weird when people say to you, 'How're you doing?' or even worse, 'Well, you're looking good!' and you're going 'If only you knew.' "

West also took part in clinical trials.

"The facility here is world-class and the research here will benefit patients potentially everywhere around the world," he said

West says the experience has invigorated his desire to find money for more research. His next goal is for his company to raise $70,000 for the Ride the Rideau cancer fundraiser.

For the event, cyclists will raise a minimum of $1,500 and ride 100 kilometres on Sept. 8. In 2011, the ride raised $2.7 million.

West has set a personal fundraising goal of $35,000.