Posted Jun 27, 2023 9:12pm ET
Jon Nabbs from New Zealand walks across the country to raise money for children with cancer. (Courtesy of Ryan Macdonald)
Jon Nabbs of New Zealand is a man on a mission who pushes a stroller with all his luggage down the Trans-Canada Highway in Cape Breton, NS
“[I’m running] right across from the Atlantic to the Pacific to spread good cheer and inspiration and raise funds for children with cancer,” said Nabbs.
The 32-year-old decided to flee St. John’s to Vancouver after losing both parents to cancer in 2020 and 2021.
“I know that feeling like you got a punch in the stomach when you get that diagnosis,” Nabbs said. “Just utter despair and loss of hope. So you’re kind of stuck in this long, gray tunnel.” A little light at the end, which is sort of your hope for improvement.
The deaths of his parents also inspired Nabbs to pursue his dreams — one of which was to see the world.
This is one of the reasons why he runs from coast to coast through the second largest country in the world and documents the journey on social media.
“Canada is so big that it scared me a lot to think about whether I could actually make it,” Nabbs said. “When I first heard about someone traveling alone, unassisted and unaccompanied across Canada, my first reaction was, ‘This is impossible’.”
There’s another reason he chose Canada: Terry Fox is one of his heroes.
Nabbs says it’s humbling to walk some of the same roads Terry walked during his Marathon of Hope.
“He’s done everything I’m trying to do now, except he did it with one leg and with cancer in his body. So my god, this guy had some guts,” Nabbs said.
Having crossed Newfoundland, Nabbs is only in his second province, but is impressed by the beauty of the landscape and the friendliness of the people.
“I was blown away by the hospitality I received, it was so beautiful,” Nabbs said.
Even though it won’t be easy to reach the goal, Nabbs is determined to do his best.
“Whether it’s hell or high, I’m committed to coming to Vancouver and showing that there’s something they can follow and really get behind,” he said.