Hyundai Hope on Wheels Donates $6.8 Million for Pediatric Cancer in September

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Hope on Wheels dedicated the month of September to raising awareness about childhood cancer and donated $6.8 million to hospitals and non-profit organizations across the country to support cure research and programs to improve the lives of children with cancer.  From its start 12 years ago as a local dealer-led effort in Boston, Hope on Wheels is now supported by all of the 800 Hyundai dealers across the country and Hyundai Motor America.  By year-end, Hyundai Hope on Wheels will have donated more than $23 million to fight childhood cancer since it began in 1998.

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In addition to a national television campaign and in-dealership communications raising awareness of childhood cancer, Hyundai Hope on Wheels visited 68 hospitals and non-profit organizations in 61 cities and 38 states across the U.S. to present 68 $100,000 Hope Grants. At each event, representatives from Hope on Wheels were joined by local Hyundai dealers, Hyundai Motor America executives, doctors, nurses, teachers, social workers, child life specialists, counselors and other professionals dedicated to fighting childhood cancer.  At many of September's Hope Grant check presentation events, local children and their families fighting childhood cancer shared their own stories with the audience.

"The stories we heard this September from parents and children remind us that we have made great strides in the treatment of childhood cancer, but that there is still much work to be done," said John Krafcik, CEO of Hyundai Motor America.  "We share their hope, determination and commitment, and promise to continue our work until we've found a cure together."

"As part of Hope on Wheels, Hyundai dealers are able to contribute to the hospitals and programs that help the children and families of our communities and support the national campaign to raise awareness about childhood cancer," said Mike Kelly, Dealer Board Member, Hyundai Hope on Wheels Foundation and dealer owner of Mike Kelly Hyundai, Butler, PA.  "The children and families fighting pediatric cancer look to us to be their voices, and Hyundai's September initiative allowed us to spread the word about fighting childhood cancer to a larger audience then we have ever reached before."

The complete list of Hope Grant recipients, video from each of September's 68 Hope Grant presentations and more information on Hyundai Hope on Wheels is available at www.hyundaihopeonwheels.org.  Find Hope on Wheels on Facebook and follow us on Twitter at @hopeonwheels.

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 800 dealerships nationwide.

HYUNDAI HOPE ON WHEELS

Hyundai Hope on Wheels™ is the united effort of Hyundai Motor America and more than 800 Hyundai dealers across the U.S. to raise awareness of and find a cure for childhood cancer.  By the end of 2010, Hope on Wheels will have awarded more than $23 million dollars to children's hospitals and non-profit organizations across the U.S. to support the fight against childhood cancer.

SOURCE Hyundai Motor America