SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WXYZ) — Beaumont Health and the American Cancer Society have teamed up to give cancer patients seeking treatment in metro Detroit free hotel rooms during their stay.

According to a press release, Beaumont will invest up to $25,000 to provide free rooms at designated hotels in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties for cancer patients, while the American Cancer Society will work with patients and local hotels to fulfill the requests for lodging.

The hotels will be for patients and their caregivers who travel to metro Detroit for outpatient cancer treatment.

“We are thrilled to work with American Cancer Society to help our patients and families who are traveling great distances to access our cancer treatment programs and leading-edge technology such as Proton Therapy. We have a long history of working with the American Cancer Society on meaningful programs like this one,” Susan Grant, Beaumont chief nursing officer, said.

Patients undergoing treatment often have a host of health issues, and the cost of travel can also be a significant barrier to care if the best option is far from home. Last year, it's estimated that 5,000 people in southeast Michigan traveled more than 40 miles for cancer treatment.

“Assistance with accommodations and transportation to treatment are two of the most frequently requested resources of the American Cancer Society,” said Blythe Moran, Executive Director for the American Cancer Society in Michigan. “This generous contribution fills a critical gap for free lodging options for cancer patients in our community and we are grateful for this amazing support from Beaumont to increase access to the best in cancer care.”

To learn more about this program, visit cancer.org/patientlodging.