TUSTIN : Man Hikes for Dollars, Nets $6,750

Philip Datner spent much of his summer backpacking more than 150 miles in an effort to raise more than $6,000 for the American Cancer Society.

Datner, 33, came up with the idea of hiking for dollars after talking to co-workers about a company-sponsored walkathon, which he had missed because it coincided with the opening of trout season in the Sierra.

“I said they’re walking and getting money for that. I backpack a lot, so why don’t I get sponsors for that?” Datner recalled. “I ended up doing something I would have done anyway, and I raised money for a good cause.”

Datner, an engineering associate at Silicon Systems in Tustin, had about 200 friends, family members and work associates pledge $6,750 in donations.

He hiked 153 miles during seven trips in a little more than seven months, spending a total of 29 days in the wilderness and driving 4,600 miles to and from the Sierra. According to Datner’s calculations, he took 323,136 steps.

Most of the trips were taken alone, because Datner, 33, said he usually cannot find others who want to go backpacking. He has been involved in the sport since he was a Boy Scout 20 years ago.

His decision to raise money for the American Cancer Society was influenced by his mother’s death from cancer eight years ago.

“I think I got more sponsors because I picked the American Cancer Society,” Datner said. “I think everyone has been touched by cancer in one way or another.”

He will present a check on Tuesday to American Cancer Society Orange County Unit officials, who will in turn present him with an award.

“Since I’ve been here, almost two years, we haven’t had anyone do anything like this,” said Tom McPherson, director of communications for the Cancer Society. “Most of the time we get our money through direct mail or fund-raisers.”

Datner said he plans to hold a similar fund-raiser next year. The American Cancer Society will use the funds for cancer research, education and patient service programs.