Hyundai, Congressional Leaders And Local Children's Hospitals Join Together In The Fight Against Pediatric Cancer

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Sep 20, 2012, 03:54 ET

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Hope On Wheels^®, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, alongside Hyundai Motor America executives, congressional leaders and local children's hospitals, held a press conference today as part of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Its purpose was to celebrate the achievements of the Hope On Wheels third annual September Hyundai Hope Grant program – which supports medical research and programs that improve quality of life for children with cancer – and to raise awareness around the deadly disease.

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The press conference was held in the Rayburn House Office Building Room and was attended by more than 100 individuals. Attendees included Rep. Mike McCaul (R-TX), Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA), Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL), Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IN), each lending their support on the issue. Three local Hope Grant winners were also honored at the event: Georgetown University Hospital, Children's National Medical Center and the National Cancer Institute Pediatric Oncology Branch. These hospitals will each receive a grant in the amount of $250,000 to support pediatric cancer research.

This year, 41 Hyundai Hope Grants – totaling $10.25 million – are being awarded throughout September to institutions and researchers focused on pediatric cancer. The month-long program marks Hope On Wheels' largest research grant donation period to date. It will bring the total amount that the non-profit has committed to childhood cancer to $57 million since it first began in 1998.

"At Hyundai, we place a great deal of value on addressing some of the most critical challenges our society faces and today was an important day in our ongoing fight against pediatric cancer," said John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. "Standing together with congressional leaders, families, and doctors-- our partners in this common cause to raise awareness and ultimately find a cure."

During the event, Dr. Leonard Sender – Director of the Hyundai Cancer Institute at CHOC Children's in Orange County, California – shared with attendees a pilot study at the Hyundai Cancer Institute. The project, which received a $10 million Hyundai Hope On Wheels grant, is the first to utilize whole genomics sequencing as a diagnostic tool to help physicians decide the best course of treatment as quickly as possible.

The Hyundai Hope On Wheels press conference was followed by the 3^rd Annual Childhood Cancer Summit, sponsored by the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus, which took place at the Library of Congress – Madison Building. The event, sponsored by Congressman Michael McCaul and Congressman Chris Van Hollen, brought together members of congress and government officials to stress the importance of partnership and pediatric cancer research.

"Childhood cancer patients, survivors and their families all across this country deserve to know that no disease is too rare for us to fight," said Rep. Mike McCaul (R-TX). Through collaboration between government, patient advocates and the private sector, we can eradicate cancer as a threat to all children and focus instead on improving the lives of pediatric cancer survivors."

For the third year in a row, Hyundai's competitive September program allowed institutions to apply for the research grants. The submitted proposals were then reviewed by the Hope On Wheels medical advisory committee of pediatric oncologists. Each of the 41 Hope Grants will help fund new pediatric cancer research projects and will be presented during Hope On Wheels' signature Handprint Ceremony that will take place at the participating institution's campus and celebrates the lives of the children battling the disease.

For more information or to make a donation to Hyundai Hope On Wheels, please visit www.HyundaiHopeOnWheels.org.

To support Hyundai Hope On Wheels on Facebook or Twitter, please visit www.facebook.com/HyundaiHopeOnWheels or www.twitter.com/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. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile power train warranty, 5-years of complimentary Roadside Assistance and the Hyundai Trade-in Value Guarantee.

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. In 2012, Hope On Wheels will have committed more than $57 million in donations to pediatric cancer research since the program began in 1998. Hyundai Hope On Wheels is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

SOURCE Hyundai Motor America