Hyundai Hope On Wheels Awards $2 Million Research Grant To The Children's Oncology Group To Fund Project:EveryChild

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., April 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor America's pediatric cancer nonprofit organization, Hyundai Hope On Wheels®, yesterday announced a $2 million research grant award to fund the Children's Oncology Group's (COG) Project:EveryChild. This marks Hyundai's latest move in supporting the scientific community's efforts to improve cure rates, diminish acute toxicity from treatments and minimize the risk for late effects for all children battling cancer. As a part of Project:EveryChild, Hyundai's funds will help in the collection of biospecimens from children with cancer at COG institutions around the country. These specimens will then be stored at the Hyundai COG Biorepository.  The biorepository functions as a massive database of pediatric cancer specimens that provide doctors the ability to request and access thousands of cancer specimens and previous research like never before. 

Cancer is still the leading cause of death from disease for children in the U.S. There are more than 100 different kinds of cancer that occur in children, and for most of these cancers, the causes are unknown. That is why the Children's Oncology Group, the world's largest organization devoted exclusively to childhood and adolescent cancer research, is leading Project:EveryChild's unprecedented research effort with its more than 200 children's hospitals, universities, and cancer centers.  

"Hyundai's generous support to Project:EveryChild will make a significant difference in our ongoing battle against childhood cancer," said Dr. Peter Adamson, Chairman of the Children's Oncology Group. "This crucial funding will ensure that every child diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. will be eligible to participate in and benefit from the advances in research from Project:EveryChild, regardless of the rarity of the type of cancer."

Once the biospecimens (tumor tissue) from each child are stored at the Hyundai Hope On Wheels COG Biorepository, the specimens will then be able to be studied by leading laboratories around the world, accelerating discoveries that will lead to new and better treatments. Project:EveryChild will provide doctors and researchers with unprecedented, convenient access to thousands of samples and laboratory findings, allowing immense progress to be made in diagnosing and treating current children's diagnoses.

"Over the last 16 years we have been committed to reaching a day when no child will have to face cancer, and supporting COG's Project:EveryChild is another big step in that direction," said Dave Zuchowski, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor America and Board Member of Hyundai Hope On Wheels. "With the ability to study every child's type of cancer, researchers will be able to more effectively collaborate and develop new and better treatments. And that's something that all of us at Hyundai are extremely excited and passionate about."

Hyundai Hope On Wheels, in the fight against pediatric cancer since 1998, is committed to funding innovative research at COG member institutions and creating public awareness for pediatric cancer. Hope On Wheels will officially launch its 2014 program on April 17 in New York City, where it will announce the winners of its grants programs.

For more information about Hyundai Hope On Wheels, please visit www.HyundaiHopeOnWheels.org.  You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter, by visiting facebook.com/HyundaiHopeOnWheels or twitter.com/HopeOnWheels.  You may also subscribe to receive our monthly newsletter and learn more about our cause.

CHILDREN'S ONCOLOGY GROUP
The Children's Oncology Group (www.childrensoncologygroup.org) is the world's largest organization devoted exclusively to childhood and adolescent cancer research. The COG unites more than 8,000 experts in childhood cancer at more than 200 leading children's hospitals, universities, and cancer centers across North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe in the fight against childhood cancer. Today, more than 90% of 13,500 children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States are cared for at Children's Oncology Group member institutions. The Children's Oncology Group research has turned children's cancer from a virtually incurable disease 50 years ago to one with a combined 5-year survival rate of 80% today. Our goal is to cure all children and adolescents with cancer, reduce the short and long-term complications of cancer treatments, and determine the causes to find ways to prevent childhood cancer.

HYUNDAI HOPE ON WHEELS
Hyundai Hope On Wheels® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit 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. Primary funding for Hyundai Hope On Wheels comes from Hyundai Motor America and its more than 800 U.S. dealers.  At the end of its 16th year, Hyundai Hope On Wheels will have awarded more than $86 million towards childhood cancer research in pursuit of a cure.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, 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 820 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle limited warranty; Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance. Hyundai Assurance includes Assurance Connected Care that provides owners of Hyundai models equipped with the Hyundai Blue Link telematics system with proactive safety and car care services complimentary for three years. These services include Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostic Alert, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and in-vehicle service scheduling.

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SOURCE Hyundai Hope On Wheels