Hyundai Hope On Wheels Announces National 5K Run/Walk Series To Raise Funds And Awareness For Pediatric Cancer Research

COSTA MESA, Calif., July 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Hope On Wheels® today announced a 2012 5K Run/Walk Series that will travel to three U.S. cities, in a continued effort to raise awareness and research funds for pediatric cancer. After a successful inaugural 5K event in Orange County last year, Hope On Wheels will return to Southern California to launch its 5K series in Irvine, followed by visits to Chicago and Miami as part of its ongoing efforts around National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September. Net proceeds from the Hyundai Hope On Wheels 5K Run/Walk Series will benefit pediatric cancer research programs at local children's hospitals in each of the three cities.

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"As an avid runner myself, I am thrilled to roll out our annual 5K Run/Walk series to support the Hope On Wheels mission of finding a cure for childhood cancer," said John Krafcik, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. "Cancer claims the lives of far too many young children and impacts far too many families. We look forward to extending our work with our Hyundai dealers as well as our race partner organizations to host and sponsor 5Ks across the nation to further fund research and help end this disease."

Race participants of the Hyundai Hope On Wheels 5K Run/Walk Series can become a part of Team Hyundai Hope On Wheels and join the fight against pediatric cancer by registering online and making a pledge to benefit their local hospital. After registering, both race participants and those wishing simply to contribute to the cause can jump-start their donations by pledging one of six levels.  For more information about the Hyundai Hope On Wheels 5K Run/Walk Series, including registration and pledge details, please visit www.HyundaiRun4Hope.org.

September 1, 2012 – Irvine, CA: Hyundai Hope On Wheels 5K Run/Walk Irvine

Kicking off Hope On Wheels' efforts during National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the Hyundai Hope On Wheels 5K Run/Walk Series will host its first race on Saturday, September 1 at the University of California, Irvine campus at 7:30 a.m. All net proceeds from the event will benefit the Hyundai Cancer Institute at CHOC Children's Hospital, a leader in innovative pediatric cancer research.

September 9, 2012 – Chicago, IL: Hyundai Hope On Wheels 5K at the Chicago Half Marathon

The Hyundai Hope On Wheels 5K at the Chicago Half Marathon will take place on Sunday, September 9. The Hope On Wheels 5K will start at approximately 7:45 a.m. and will take participants through beautiful Jackson Park. All net proceeds from the event will benefit the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (formerly Children's Memorial Hospital).

September 29, 2012 – Miami, FL: Hyundai Hope On Wheels 2nd Annual MCH5K

The Hyundai Hope On Wheels 2nd Annual Miami Children's Hospital 5K (MCH5K), presented by TotalBank, will be held in Coral Gables on Saturday, September 29 at 7:30 a.m. The route will start and finish at Coral Gables City Hall and will take participants through the picturesque Granada Golf Course. Individuals and teams are invited to participate and fundraise to support the children and families at Miami Children's Hospital, which will be the recipient of all net proceeds from this race. Prizes will be awarded to the top fundraising teams.

"Every 36 minutes a child in the U.S. is diagnosed with cancer. Through research, 80 percent of those cases can be cured, but that's just not good enough," said Gary Micallef, Chairman, Hyundai Hope On Wheels Foundation and dealer-owner of Hyundai of Everett, in Everett, WA. "As a father and grandfather myself, I can think of no better way for Hope On Wheels to further its efforts in the fight against pediatric cancer than by joining together and running for hope.

Dr. Morris Kletzel, Director of the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Laurie Children's Hospital of Chicago said, "We are so pleased to have the support of the Hyundai Hope On Wheels program at our institution.  Hyundai and its dealers are doing more than just talking about the importance of pediatric cancer, they are making a difference with funding that is desperately needed in research."

To learn more about Hyundai Hope On Wheels' activities in the month of September, please visit www.HyundaiHopeOnWheels.org.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Costa Mesa, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 800 dealerships nationwide.

HYUNDAI HOPE ON WHEELS

Hyundai Hope On Wheels® is the united effort of Hyundai Motor America and its more than 800 dealers across the U.S. to raise awareness about childhood cancer and to celebrate the lives of children battling the disease. For 2012, Hyundai Hope On Wheels plans to surpass $57 million in total donations to childhood cancer research since the program began in 1998. Hyundai Hope On Wheels is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

SOURCE Hyundai Motor America