Hyundai Hope On Wheels Awards 34 Pediatric Cancer Research Grants During The Month Of September - National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Sept. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In its 18^th year of joining the fight against childhood cancer, Hyundai Motor America and its nonprofit organization, Hyundai Hope On Wheels® announced that it will award $7.5 million in new pediatric cancer research grants to 34 hospitals across the U.S. during September, National Childhood Cancer Awareness month. Hope On Wheels' September campaign will honor the brave children and families fighting the disease. Since 1998, Hyundai Hope On Wheels has awarded over $115 million in funding to childhood cancer research. Each year, some 15,000 children are diagnosed with cancer, making the disease the leading cause of death by disease for children in the U.S.

"Children are precious and deserve every opportunity to achieve their full potential. For far too many, they are forced to fight pediatric cancer at a time when they just want to grow, play and learn," said Dave Zuchowski, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. "I am proud to lead a company and its dealers, who are so committed to the cause of ending childhood cancer. Through research, today 80% of kids with cancer can be cured.  Our goal is to keep fighting until no child ever again hears the words, 'you have cancer'." 

2016 National Call to Action: Give Hope a Hand
The theme for the 4^th consecutive year is "Every Handprint Tells a Story." This theme reflects that there are many hands involved in the battle against pediatric cancer – patients, researchers, doctors, parents, friends, communities – and each of these handprints tell a story. HHOW is encouraging the public to get involved with the fight in a highly personal way – by visiting our website or joining us on Facebook to share stories of hope. The new campaign, 'Give Hope a Hand', allows supporters to Learn, Share, Do, and Give, as a way to add their hands to help fight against childhood cancer with HHOW. Whether it's sharing a video of a brave child's journey with the disease, or posting a virtual handwritten letter of hope to a child battling with the disease, or donating to lifesaving research, 'Give Hope a Hand' serves as a platform to build a strong community of supporters for the cause.  We are all in this together, and with many hands, we are stronger.

2016 Hope On Wheels National September Tour
During the month of September – National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, HHOW is traveling throughout the nation to present pediatric cancer research grants to children's hospitals, as well as to celebrate brave children with cancer. We will conduct grant ceremonies at winning institutions for 34 separate doctor-researchers. The grants are $250,000 (Hyundai Hope Scholar Grant) or $150,000 (Hyundai Young Investigator Grant), for a combined $7.5 million in the month of September alone. This is in addition to more than $5 million in pediatric cancer research grants awarded by HHOW earlier this year. The highly-competitive grant programs are open to all Children's Oncology Group member institutions engaged in pediatric cancer research in the U.S. Grant winners are selected by a scientific review panel. 

Hyundai Hope On Wheels Visits Washington D.C.
The HHOW September campaign also includes "DC Days," a series of events in Washington, D.C. to honor the children, families and medical researchers on the front lines battling pediatric cancer. Many of the country's leading pediatric oncologists, policy makers, members of Congress, Hyundai executives, Hope On Wheels board members and childhood cancer survivors will also participate in a series of events. The events include a Thought Leaders' Summit; Celebration of Life Gala; and National Press Conference. Local DC area pediatric cancer survivors, including Hope On Wheels National Youth Ambassadors, 13-year-old Ryan Darby from Maryland and 13-year-old Hannah Adams from Florida, will address participants and share their moving stories about their first hand experiences with cancer.

Thought Leaders' Summit, Washington, DC
At the forefront of the fight against the disease are the doctors and researchers who work tirelessly to discover new cures and treatments for childhood cancer. The third annual Hope On Wheels Thought Leaders' Summit will be held on Thursday, September 22^nd.  This symposium provides an arena for the country's top pediatric oncologists and this year's HHOW Grant recipients, to explore and discuss the progress made in childhood cancer research and exchange ideas and new thinking.

Hyundai Owners Join the Fight against Pediatric Cancer with every Vehicle Purchased
Hyundai owners are an important part of the fight against pediatric cancer.  With the purchase of every new Hyundai, a donation is made to pediatric cancer research.

Scott Stark, dealer-owner, South Pointe Hyundai, Austin, TX and Chairman Hyundai Hope On Wheels said, "On behalf of all Hyundai dealers, we are committed to giving back to our communities. We are extremely proud of the work we do in the fight against pediatric cancer. We do this work every day and with every vehicle sold. Our customers are pleased to know that the purchase of their own transportation needs extends to help a child who is fighting cancer. We are committed to this fight, and will work for as long as it takes to find a cure for pediatric cancer."

To learn more about Hyundai Hope On Wheels, please visit www.HyundaiHopeOnWheels.org or follow us on social media at www.facebook.com/HyundaiHopeOnWheels, www.twitter.com/hopeonwheels, and www.youtube.com/hopeonwheels.

ABOUT 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 830 U.S. dealers. Since its inception, Hyundai Hope On Wheels has awarded more than $115 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 830 dealerships nationwide.

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SOURCE Hyundai Hope On Wheels

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