Get your Kleenex ready for this story. Now, children with cancer can see more than their hospital room walls, they can travel the world. How?
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® and Expedia came together to form Expedia Dream Adventures. It helps St. Jude patients using three key things: 360-degree cameras, live-streaming, and Expedia employees.
Certain employees volunteered to travel the world, then interacted with the patients as though they were there alongside them. And with the real-time technology Expedia used, it seemed as if they were.
Some of the cancer patients remain at the research hospital for months or years, so having this “traveling” opportunity is life-changing, not to mention remarkably awesome of Expedia.
Here are some screenshots of the childrens’ adventures from the Dream Adventures Film.
One girl, Kiara, was up close and personal with wild horses in Córdoba, Argentina.
Another girl, Hannah, got to experience scuba diving at the Great Maya Reef in Mexico. Sadly, Hannah passed away earlier this year.
A boy, Sagr, watched fossils being found Talampaya National Park. Don’t you love the awestruck expression on his face?!
Another boy, Isaias, got to be out in the wild at Monkey Jungle in Miami, Florida. Here he is, giving the Expedia volunteer a high-five. Our sentiments exactly.
“Anything I can do to make today better for her is my honor to do,” said Sara L., an Expedia employee, in the video.
The best part about St. Jude? They accept patients regardless of their financial situation and don’t send them a bill. Ever.
Want to help? St. Jude is funded in large part by public donations. You can donate your Expedia+ points and visit the Expedia Dream Adventures website for more information.
To check out the video for yourself, you can do so here:
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