Moncton's popular hitchhiker Quinn Strang returns home after raising over $110K

Cancer survivor raises $110K hitchhiking across Canada along Terry Fox's route

Quinn Strang hitchhiked across the country in 26 days fundraising for cancer research

A 20-year-old cancer survivor who hitchhiked across Canada in the footsteps of Terry Fox has returned home to Moncton after raising more than $110,000 for families facing the financial strain of cancer treatment.

Over a period of 26 days, beginning May 17 in Saint John, Quinn Strang travelled from east to west across the country, relying on the kindness of strangers while collecting donations for the IWK Foundation and the Terry Fox Foundation.

"I have met the most amazing people, every day you have no clue what's going to come," he told CBC News.

"I was fortunate enough to stay with families all over the country ... it was just so awesome to see everybody come in and help me out."

Peanut butter and propeller hats: 20-year-old from Moncton hitchhiking across Canada for cancer research

Strang has been cancer-free for three years after battling Ewing sarcoma, and the motivation for setting out on his fundraising journey came from his first-hand experience.

He was diagnosed with the disease when he was 15, and had a femur transplant after graduation.

By the time his hitchhiking trip was nearing an end, his leg had begun to demand rest, said Strang.

But he said the memories he came back with compensate for the long hours spent waiting to be picked up, or staring out of vehicle windows.

"I can't put a value on it. It's priceless."

"I could go day by day, province by province and just have nothing but stories and great people," he said.

Strang said one of the biggest challenges was dealing with the black flies while camping in Ontario.

Getting blessed by a Buddhist monk

Some of the highlights included getting blessed by a Buddhist monk, driving a convertible Porsche on country roads, and having interesting conversations after getting a ride from a Russian truck driver, said Strang.

"He was such a cool guy ... we did like sunset park walks through Quebec."

Kimberley Reid, a spokesperson for the IWK Foundation, was following Strang's social media updates where he documented his journey, she told CBC in an email.

"His remarkable fundraising efforts will make a meaningful impact on Maritime children and families who need the specialized care of the IWK," she wrote.

Strang also brought home a poster full of signatures and stickers from different provinces that now decorate his guitar.

He said his plan forward is to rest well and get back to his job at the water park for the summer.

Rhythm Rathi is a reporter with CBC New Brunswick in Moncton. He was born and raised in India, and attended journalism school in Ontario. Send your story tips to rhythm.rathi@cbc.ca