Cancer Survivor Hitchhikes Across Canada in 26 Days, Raises Over $110,000

Quinn Strang, a 20-year-old cancer survivor from Moncton, returned home after hitchhiking across Canada along Terry Fox's route and raising more than $110,000 for the IWK Foundation and the Terry Fox Foundation. Strang began the trip on May 17 in Saint John and finished it in 26 days. He relied on rides from strangers and documented the journey on social media.

Strang has been cancer-free for three years. He was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma at age 15 and underwent a femur transplant after graduation. Near the end of the trip, Strang experienced leg pain that required rest.

He said the memories outweighed the long waits for rides. "I have met the most amazing people, every day you have no clue what's going to come," Strang told CBC News. "I was fortunate enough to stay with families all over the country," he said.

Strang described highlights that included receiving a blessing from a Buddhist monk, driving a convertible Porsche on country roads, and riding with a Russian truck driver. "I could go day by day, province by province and just have nothing but stories and great people," he said. One challenge was dealing with black flies while camping in Ontario.

Kimberley Reid, a spokesperson for the IWK Foundation, said Strang's efforts would support Maritime children and families needing specialized care. Strang returned with a poster covered in signatures and stickers from different provinces that now decorate his guitar. He plans to rest and return to his summer job at the water park.