West Virginia State Parks announced a partnership with the Walking Miracles Family Foundation that provides lodging discounts to families in need of travel assistance due to childhood and young adult cancer treatment.
The discount, which provides a 50 percent savings on state park lodge rooms and cabins, is available to families in the Walking Miracles Family Foundation network, according to Parks Chief Brad Reed.
“West Virginia is one of the most hospitable and generous states in the country and our state parks, with all their natural beauty, are a place of comfort to so many people,” Reed said. “We are honored to help these families get through difficult times and offer them some comfort.”
According to the Walking Miracles Family Foundation, families of pediatric cancer patients spend nearly 40 percent of their income on travel expenses, and the average pediatric cancer patient is in treatment for three years.
Brett Wilson, the founder of the foundation, lauded the governor and park system for providing the discount.
“The cost of travel is the primary barrier to cancer care in West Virginia and a discount like this makes a world of difference in so many people’s lives,” Wilson said.
“I want to thank the team at West Virginia State Parks and Governor Justice for their commitment to use state resources to help people in need.”
With lodges and cabins strategically located around the state, West Virginia’s parks provide comfortable and affordable overnight accommodations to millions of visitors each year.
The Walking Miracles Family Foundation connects caregivers, families, and survivors impacted by childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer to resources and helps defray the cost of travel during the cancer journey.
Through its Country Roads Travel Assistance Program, the nonprofit has given $250,000 in travel assistance to more than 250 families in 33 of 55 counties.
Sign up to receive a FREE copy of West Virginia Explorer Magazine in your email weekly. Sign me up!
