Columbus, OH – September 5th, 2023 – Hyundai Hope On Wheels® will present Dr. Timothy Cripe and Dr. Lynda Villagomez at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus with a $400,000 Hyundai Hope Scholar Award and a $250,000 Hyundai Young Investigator Award on Tuesday, September 5th, at 2:00 p.m. The Hope On Wheels Hope Scholar and Young Investigator Awards were established to provide funding for innovative research in the childhood cancer field or programmatic support for the selected institution's pediatric oncology department.
In 2023, Hyundai Hope On Wheels celebrates our 25th anniversary with $25 million in pediatric cancer research and programmatic grants. This brings the organization’s donation total to $225 million since Hyundai joined the fight against pediatric cancer in 1998. This year, Hyundai Hope On Wheels is set to surpass 1,300 research and programmatic grants to over 175 hospitals and research institutions over its 25-year history. Hyundai Hope On Wheels awards grants to researchers at eligible Children’s Oncology Group (COG) member institutions, which are focused on improving outcomes, treatments, and support for children diagnosed with cancer.
“Hyundai Hope On Wheels is honored to have reached this milestone, which humbly started as a local initiative in New England 25 years ago,” said Kevin Reilly, vice
chairman of the Hyundai Hope On Wheels Board of Directors, and president of Alexandria Hyundai. “While we are proud of this growth and the significant advancements in pediatric cancer research, we remain as unwaveringly dedicated to our goals of funding research and creating awareness as when we started. The resilience of pediatric cancer fighters, survivors, and their families inspires us to continue this journey and strengthen our commitment to bring hope and put an end to childhood cancer.”
“While we are thrilled that we are now able to cure around 80 percent of children with cancer, our goal is to get to 100 percent,” said Dr. Dan Wechsler, a long-standing member of the Hyundai Hope On Wheels Medical Advisory Committee. “Appropriate funding is critical to ensure that doctors, scientists, and institutions continue their cutting-edge research.”
During the event, children at Nationwide Children’s Hospital 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 2023 Tucson. Their colorful handprints on the official Hope Vehicle represent their individual and collective journeys, hopes and dreams.
Doctors and researchers that receive a grant from Hope On Wheels are named Hyundai Scholars and are presented with a special lab coat. This year, to celebrate the 25-year milestone, Hyundai Hope On Wheels launched its “HOPE Defined” social media campaign, which will spotlight what Hope means to members of the pediatric cancer community and culminate through various celebrations in September, National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
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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 critical research aimed at improving treatments and saving lives. Hyundai Hope On Wheels is one of the largest nonprofit funders of pediatric cancer research in the country. Primary funding for Hyundai Hope On Wheels comes from Hyundai Motor America and its more than 820 U.S. dealers. In 2023, Hyundai Hope On Wheels will surpass a lifetime total donation of $225 million in support of more than 1,300 childhood cancer research grants.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through 835 dealerships nationwide. All new Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes a 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.