Donated SUV helps Twisp police chief’s family reach cancer care

CHELAN — A procession of emergency vehicles brought a surprise to Twisp Police Chief Paul Budrow and his family Oct. 24: a donated SUV to help them travel to cancer treatment.

Two anonymous donors provided a 2025 Ford Expedition Active, and local businesses and community members stocked it with supplies for the family, according to an Oct. 27 news release from Beside the Line, an East Wenatchee nonprofit supporting families of public safety professionals.

Budrow, a former Okanogan County sheriff, was training law enforcement officers in New York City when the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks occurred and stayed to help at Ground Zero, according to the organization. Beside the Line said he has been diagnosed with leukemia and two additional cancers believed to be connected to that service.

The family’s existing vehicle had become unreliable for trips over the mountains. Volunteer flights had helped Budrow reach treatment, but organizers said approaching winter weather made dependable ground transportation a priority.

Beside the Line coordinated the vehicle presentation during a donated weekend getaway in Chelan. Budrow’s wife, Aimee, and three of their children arrived Oct. 22 for a benefit hosted by Tipsy Canyon Winery in Manson. Budrow and another child joined them the following morning.

The couple have 12 children, including six adopted from foster care, with five school-aged children still living at home, according to the release.

First responders gathered at the Lake Chelan Community Center on Oct. 24 before driving through Chelan with emergency lights flashing and arriving at 7 p.m. to present the keys.

Participants included the Wenatchee Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, Chelan County Behavioral Health Unit, East Cascade Regional SWAT, Chelan Fire & Rescue, Lake Chelan Health EMS and Chelan County Volunteer Search & Rescue.

Businesses contributed lodging, meals and activities for the visit. Lakeside Chelanigans donated a vacation rental, The Vine Coffee provided an open tab, and the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce contributed Chamber Bucks for local shopping. Other donations included ropes course time from Slide Waters, treats from Chelan Toys & Sweets and a meal gift card from Tapped Out Sports Bar & Pool Hall.

The Expedition was filled with heated blankets, electrolyte drinks, snacks, children’s crafts, car care supplies and tire chains. Contributors included Walmart, Les Schwab Tire Centers, Cascade Mountain Medicine, BlueBridge, Costco, Weinstein Beverage and community members.

Beside the Line said the family continues to face treatment, travel, lodging and prescription expenses while awaiting assistance through the World Trade Center Health Program and other organizations.

“We can’t fix that, but we could make sure they had a safe way to get Paul to treatment this winter,” Laura Criss, the nonprofit’s vice president, said in the release. “The response from local businesses and first responders was overwhelming.”

For the Budrows, some of the vehicle’s everyday features were cause for excitement, too. According to the release, one daughter had been going outside in freezing weather to warm up the family’s old vehicle each morning. The Expedition’s remote start means she can now do that with a button.

The family’s fundraiser for ongoing expenses is available at https://fundthefirst.com/campaign/support-for-paul-budrow-and-family-x1jap6.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media