Between treatment, hospitalization, pain and fear, children battling cancer often have fewer opportunities to travel and go on adventures in the outside world. Additionally, as escapism serves as a comfort to many cancer patients, the inability to go on outdoors adventures can be disheartening.
Recently, Expedia has joined forces with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to bring global adventures to young cancer patients through Expedia's Dream Adventures program. After learning of a child's greatest travel dreams, Expedia volunteers travel to these locations to make these dreams a reality. Using 360° cameras and live-streaming technology, the volunteers film these adventures while the child sits in a room with the real-time footage projected on the walls. Children can interact with the volunteers and play an active role in their adventures.
Several children have already had their travel wishes fulfilled. From scuba diving in the Mexican Maya Reef to spending a day with wild horses in Córdoba, Argentina, Expedia and St. Jude's are helping young cancer patients explore incredible parts of the world.
Expedia also encourages clients to donate their Expedia+ points to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. If you are interested in donating your Expedia+ points, you can do so at the Dream Adventures website linked above, or if you would like to donate directly to St. Jude's, you can follow this link.
Why donate? In addition to bringing global adventures to cancer patients, St. Jude's is a leading research and treatment center for life-threatening children's diseases. Furthermore, St. Jude's never charges families for treatment, travel, food or housing. Donations are essential to helping maintain this life-saving organization.
Both St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Expedia are helping young cancer patients achieve their dreams through the Dream Adventures program. These organizations are bringing light, hope and fun into the lives of these children and their families. We cannot wait to see what they will choose to do next!