Hyundai Hope On Wheels: Working To Free Children From Cancer

Every thirty-six minutes in the US, a child learns she/he has cancer.  That’s equates to 15,000 cases a year, or more than enough to fill a class-room of children every day. Pediatric cancer is the leading cause of death by disease for children in the US.  But the good news is, due to advances in research , there is now a 5 year survival rate of over 80% of Pediatric Cancer.  

By the end of 2012, Hyundai’s Hope on Wheels ® program will have donated an astounding $57 million to pediatric cancer research since 1998. With every new vehicle sold, Hyundai owners join Hyundai and its dealers in donating life-saving research dollars. This year alone, Hyundai dealers and Hyundai Motor America have committed to raise at least $12 million additional dollars for Hope on Wheels.  In addition, we will conduct a nationwide initiative to increase awareness and to raise more funds for childhood cancer, during the month of September.

Hyundai Hope on Wheels is the united effort of Hyundai Motor America and its 819 dealers across the US to raise awareness about childhood cancer, to donate funds to local hospitals engaged in childhood cancer research and to honor the children battling this disease.  The program began in 1998 as a local initiative supported by New England-area Hyundai dealers.  In its 14 year history, it has grown into an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.  Research and patient care initiatives have been funded across the US for children and their families impacted by the disease.

Hope on Wheels research grants are called The Hyundai Scholar award.  For 2012, there are forty-one Hyundai Scholar awards being given.  The Scholars award is given to a young investigator, who demonstrates excellent scholarship and creative research in the field of pediatric oncology.  The award is funded for one-year in the amount of $75,000.

For the third straight year, Hyundai and its dealers are expanding their historic commitment to battling childhood cancer with a campaign during the month of September, which is National Childhood Cancer Awareness month.  Children’s Oncology Group of America (COG) organizations have each been invited to compete for one of 40 Hope Grants to be awarded.  This year, the Hope Grant is increased from a $100,000 to $250,000 research award.  The grant winners are selected by a panel of leading pediatric oncologists and are used to funded innovative research projects.

The Hyundai Hope on Wheels program, combined with the dedication of Hyundai, its dealers, employees, customers, and the pediatric oncology community, is a partnership unmatched in the auto industry.  The mission is very clear: to help eliminate pediatric cancer.   And we won’t stop, until there is a cure.

You can help too. Visit www.HyundaiHopeOnWheels.org to learn how.