Cancer Center at CHOP receives $100,000 grant from Hyundai

Hyundai Hope on Wheels Pledges Total of $18 Million to Childhood Cancer Research in 2011

August 10, 2011 — Philadelphia Hyundai Dealers joined Hyundai Motor America today in support of childhood cancer research by presenting a $100,000 Hyundai Scholar grant to The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia as part of the 2011 Hope on Wheels® program.

The grant was officially presented to Vandana Batra, MD, and Lisa Wray, MD, and today at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and will help fund their research to find better treatments and ultimately cures for both neuroblastoma and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Following the presentation of the $100,000 Hyundai Scholar grant, Philadelphia-area children affected by cancer placed their handprints in colorful paint on a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe — the official vehicle of the Hope on Wheels tour — to commemorate their brave battles with cancer. 

With its Hyundai Scholars grants, Hope on Wheels is awarding research grants to 50 children’s hospitals in 2011. Each of these 50 Hyundai Scholar grants will go toward funding new pediatric cancer research projects and the grant recipients, known as “Hyundai Scholars,” will receive a combined total of $2.7 million from Hyundai Hope on Wheels. 

“The Cancer Center is making great strides in pediatric cancer but funding is vital for our continued success,” said John Maris, MD, director of the Cancer Center and Center for Childhood Cancer Research at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “We are grateful for the support of Hyundai Hope on Wheels and its customers, and will remain steadfast in our dedication to find new treatments and ultimately a cure for pediatric cancer.” 

The 2011 program marks the 13th straight year of Hope on Wheels’ mission to fight childhood cancer. This year alone, Hyundai and Hope on Wheels have pledged more than $18 million to childhood cancer research. Along the way, Hyundai’s National Youth Ambassador and pediatric cancer survivor, Brianna Commerford, 13, will join Hyundai for a second year at children’s hospital Handprint Ceremonies all over the country. Brianna battled Stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and is now sharing her story with children, families, medical staff and communities at Hyundai Hope on Wheels ceremonies. 

"At Hyundai, we thrive on new thinking and new possibilities, and Hope on Wheels supports doctors and hospitals doing just that - creating new possibilities that could someday cure childhood cancer," said John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America.  "Our goal is to support the important research that will find a cure for pediatric cancer."  

During Childhood Cancer Awareness month, Hyundai will donate additional grants in the amount of $100,000 each through its competitive September Hope Grants program. The September program allows Children’s Oncology Group (COG) member institutions seeking funding in areas of childhood cancer research to apply for the grants, which are then reviewed by Hyundai’s board of medical directors and awarded to hospitals around the U.S. 

“Hope on Wheels gives us an opportunity to give back to the Philadelphia community as we stand together to fight against childhood cancer,” said Peter Lanzavercchia, Philadelphia area Hyundai dealer. “We are proud to join these brave children and doctors in finding a cure.” More information and the complete list of 2011 Hyundai Hope on Wheels tour stops is available at http://www.hyundaihopeonwheels.org/. 

Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, CA, 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. Since the program’s inception in 1998, Hyundai has pledged more than $43 million for childhood cancer research. Hyundai Hope on Wheels is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.  

The Cancer Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia cares for more children with cancer than any other general pediatric hospital in the United States. Its large basic and clinical research programs are particularly strong in pediatric neuro-oncology, neuroblastoma, leukemia and lymphoma, and sarcomas. Of all pediatric institutions, Children's Hospital enrolls the most patients in national clinical trials, working in close collaboration with national organizations such as the Children's Oncology Group. Physicians at Children's Hospital have had pioneering roles in developing international standards for diagnosing and treating neuroblastoma, and in developing programs for survivors of childhood cancer.