Hyundai Hope On Wheels Presents The University Of Illinois At Chicago With $100,000 Hyundai Impact Award Grant To Support Pediatric Cancer Research

CHICAGO, Aug. 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Hope On Wheels^® (HHOW), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization supported by Hyundai and its U.S. dealers, announces $100,000 Hyundai Impact Award Grant to the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) to continue its long-standing fight against pediatric cancer. The institution is one of 77 recipients receiving a combined $16 million in new grants this year to develop innovative approaches to finding a cure for the disease. The Hyundai Impact Award will be officially presented to Dr. Mary Lou Schmidt, Chief of the Hematology/Oncology Section in the Department of Pediatrics at UIC's College of Medicine on Tuesday, August 13th at 2:00 pm.

"I know full well the huge benefit that Hyundai Hope on Wheels' generous support can provide. We were awarded a similar grant in 2013 and used that opportunity to further grow our Children's Oncology Group Program by opening more trials and increasing enrollments at UIC, Rush University Medical Center and the John H. Stroger Hospital of Cook County. These hospitals reside in the Illinois Medical District and serve the most vulnerable infants, children, adolescents and young adults in Chicago. Our patient population is extremely diverse, economically challenged and often left out of clinical trials that can dramatically improve their chance of survival and their quality of life," says Dr. Mary Lou Schmidt.

HHOW remains one of the largest funders of pediatric cancer research in the nation. This year will reach $160 million in total lifetime funding since 1998 towards finding a cure. With this latest grant, UIC has received $175,000 in total grants since 2013 from HHOW.

Every 36 minutes a child is diagnosed with pediatric cancer, affecting over 15,000 new cases for children and adolescents annually in the U.S. This year's campaign theme "Minutes are Precious" celebrates the many milestones in a child's life from birthdays, game days and graduation day.  By supporting innovative research and novel therapy, HHOW's goal is to ensure every child lives to enjoy more of life's precious moments for years to come.

"For 21 years, Hyundai and its dealers have partnered with medical doctor research teams from the top hospitals and institutions from around the country in a quest to finally beat this disease," says Scott Fink, Board Chair and Hyundai dealer owner, Hyundai of New Port Richey. "Hyundai's contributions have helped to significantly improve childhood cancer cure rates to more than 80 percent. This is why every minute is precious and every second matters in the fight against pediatric cancer."

During the event, children being treated at UI Heath, UIC's clinical health enterprise, who are battling cancer will participate in the program's signature Handprint Ceremony, in which they'll dip their hands in paint and place their handprints on a white 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe. Their colorful handprints on the official Hope Vehicle represent their individual and collective journeys, hopes and dreams.

For more information about Hyundai Hope On Wheels and to view a list of our 2019 Hope On Wheels grant winners, please visit www.hyundaihopeonwheels.org/research. Click here to watch the 2019 campaign video. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram at facebook.com/HyundaiHopeOnWheels, twitter.com/HopeOnWheels or Instagram.com/HyundaiHopeOnWheels. 

HYUNDAI HOPE ON WHEELS
Hyundai Hope On Wheels^® is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is committed to finding a cure for childhood cancer. Launched in 1998, Hyundai Hope On Wheels provides grants to eligible institutions nationwide that are pursuing life-saving research and innovative treatments for the disease. HHOW is one of the largest non-profit funders of pediatric cancer research in the country, and primary funding for Hyundai Hope On Wheels comes from Hyundai Motor America and its more than 835 U.S. dealers. Since its inception, Hyundai Hope On Wheels has awarded more than $160 million towards childhood cancer research in pursuit of a cure.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
At Hyundai Motor America, we believe everyone deserves better. From the way we design and build our cars to the way we treat the people who drive them, making things better is at the heart of everything we do. Hyundai's technology-rich product lineup of cars, SUVs and alternative-powered electric and fuel cell vehicles is backed by Hyundai Assurance—our promise to create a better experience for customers. Hyundai vehicles are sold and serviced through more than 830 dealerships nationwide and nearly half of those sold in the U.S. are built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. Hyundai Motor America is headquartered in Fountain Valley, California, and is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea.

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