Better Angels Samuel Johnson

Actor Samuel Johnson just celebrated a milestone he never dreamed he'd reach. Love Your Sister, the charity he founded with his late sister Connie, has raised $20 million for cancer research.

It's one of many remarkable feats Samuel has pulled off in his rollercoaster life.

The actor-turned-advocate broke the world unicycling record when he rode 16,000km around Australia, won a Gold Logie playing music legend Molly Meldrum and, more recently, survived a near-fatal road accident.

Samuel shot to fame at 21 when he starred in the hit TV series The Secret Life of Us but his 20s and 30s were a turbulent time. He lost loved ones to illness and suicide and battled mental illness and addiction.

"It seems like life deals up a lot of things to Sam and he somehow triumphs over them", says Lucy Freeman, the managing director of Love Your Sister.

Samuel has found new purpose in his fundraising work, which focuses on helping cancer patients in regional Australia.

"I used to be a big problem for myself," Samuel tells Australian Story. "Now I've tapped into something that has helped me get away from the things I hated about myself."

Australian Story goes on the road with Samuel as he travels to halls, clubs and campsites from Queensland to Queanbeyan, raising money and speaking candidly about grief, love and self-acceptance.

Producer: Lisa McGregor.

Available on ABC iview