Hyundai Hope On Wheels Awards $400,000 Research Grant To NYU Langone Medical Center Physicians In Honor Of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

NEW YORK, Sept. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Hope On Wheels® (HHOW) and New York City-area Hyundai dealers will present Drs. William L. Carroll and Teena Bhatla of Hassenfeld Children's Hospital of New York at NYU Langone with a $250,000 Scholar Grant and a $150,000 Young Investigator Grant, respectively, to be used to advance scientific research, expanding the knowledge base of pediatric cancer and improve the standards of care. NYU Langone was one of 34 recipients across the country selected from nonprofit Children's Oncology Group (COG) member institutions after a rigorous grading process.

The grants will be presented today, Monday, September 19, 10:00-11:00 am, during a Handprint Ceremony at Stephen D. Hassenfeld Children's Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders, part of Hassenfeld's Children's Hospital, during which the handprints of local New York City-area brave young cancer  from Hassenfeld Children's Hospital will be captured on a large canvas to commemorate their fight against the disease.

The ceremony will feature participants*:

• William L. Carroll, M.D., Julie and Edward J. Minskoff Professor of Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics; Professor, Department of Pathology; Director, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology; Associate Chair, Clinical and Translational Research, NYU Langone
• Teena Bhatla, M.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics; Director, Pediatric Hematological Malignancies Program, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, NYU Langone
• Mark Marenzana, Regional Sales Manager, Eastern Region, Hyundai Motor America
• George Spallina, General Manager, Potamkin Hyundai
• Handprint Ceremony: New York City-area children affected by cancer will capture their handprints on a large canvas
  *ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEW AND PHOTO/B-ROLL OPPORTUNITIES*

"Our mission at Hyundai Hope On Wheels is clear: End Childhood Cancer," said Dave Zuchowski, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. "These individual awards to hospitals and organizations across the country are pivotal to ending childhood cancer. Although there remains a lot more work to be done, the innovation that comes from this research will ultimately help us find a cure. To all the kids, families and cancer researchers fighting this terrible disease – you are not alone and we remain committed to this important cause."

About the Hyundai Hope On Wheels Young Investigator and Scholar Research Grants
The Hyundai Young Investigator and Scholar Research Grants are awarded to institutions in pediatric cancer research. These $150,000 and $250,000 grants award qualified individuals that are selected from nonprofit COG member institutions after a rigorous grading process. This year alone, HHOW will award more than $13 million in new pediatric cancer grants. Since 1998, the program has funded $115 million in research to COG member institutions nationwide. The program also creates awareness about the importance of the disease, which is the leading cause of death by disease in children in the United States (source).

About Handprint Ceremonies
Attendees at the various ceremonies will include HHOW's two national youth ambassadors and pediatric cancer survivors, Hannah Adams and Ryan Darby, who will deliver a message of hope to children's cancer hospitals. Hannah, now 13 years old, was only five years old when she was diagnosed with a Stage 3 Wilms tumor that enveloped her kidney. Since her recovery, she has pursued her love of dancing and singing to help uplift and encourage other children and families through their fight. Thirteen-year-old Ryan was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia six years ago, and since his recovery, he has shared his story and words of encouragement with children and families across the country. Watch Hannah and Ryan's story at www.HyundaiHopeOnWheels.org

2016 National Call To Action: Give Hope A Hand
In addition to funding a multitude of research projects this September, HHOW is encouraging the public to contribute to the fight against childhood cancer in a personal way. The journey begins with one simple request: Give Hope A Hand. We invite visitors to the newly refreshed website at hyundaihopeonwheels.org, to tell how they will use their hands in the fight against pediatric cancer. Once there visitors can Learn + Care + Do + Give = Hope. There are a number of additional engaging, interactive ways the public can get involved and use their hands for good.

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 life-saving research and innovative treatments for the disease. HHOW is one of the largest nonprofit funders of pediatric cancer research in the country, and primary funding for Hyundai Hope On Wheels comes from Hyundai Motor America and its more than 830 U.S. dealers.  Since its inception, Hyundai Hope On Wheels has awarded more than $115 million towards childhood cancer research in pursuit of a cure.

To learn more about Hyundai Hope On Wheels, please visit www.HyundaiHopeOnWheels.org or follow us on social media at www.facebook.com/HyundaiHopeOnWheels, www.twitter.com/hopeonwheels, and www.youtube.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 830 dealerships nationwide.

Please visit our media website at www.hyundainews.com and our blog at www.hyundailikesunday.com
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