Hyundai Hope on Wheels, a partnership of more than 800 Hyundai dealers across the U.S. and Hyundai Motor America, marked the beginning of National Childhood Cancer Awareness month with a press conference to launch a new nationwide initiative to support the fight against childhood cancer and announce the donation of $6.8 million in «Hope Grants.»

Image Courtesy: www.hyundaihopeonwheels.org

Hyundai executives, leading pediatric oncologists, families with children impacted by cancer, Hyundai dealers and elected officials gathered at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. to unveil the list of 68 hospitals and non-profit organizations that will each receive a $100,000 Hope Grant. The grants will be used to fund direct research projects and support meaningful initiatives undertaken by doctors, nurses, social workers, child life specialists and other professionals who work with children with cancer.

Image Courtesy: www.hyundaihopeonwheels.org

«While we’ve made progress over the last few decades and now have an 85 percent cure rate, cancer still takes more lives than any other childhood disease,» said John Krafcik, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. «This September, in support of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Hyundai will shine a nationwide spotlight on this cause and provide more than $6 million in grants for pediatric cancer research and support programs.  We love taking on big challenges at Hyundai, and we can think of no more worthy challenge than finding a cure for all forms of pediatric cancer.»

Throughout the month of September, Hope on Wheels will visit each Hope Grant recipient to present the donations and hear from the children, families, doctors, nurses, teachers, social workers, child life specialists, counselors and other professionals that are fighting childhood cancer.  By the end of this year, 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.