Hyundai Hope On Wheels Comes To Washington, D.C. This Week To Host Its Annual "DC Days" Celebrating 20 Year Anniversary In Saving Lives And Creating Hope To End Childhood Cancer

Leading Members of Congress join hands with the organization in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

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Sep 12, 2018, 14:42 ET

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Hyundai Hope On Wheels® (HHOW), a 501c(3) non-profit organization, launches its annual "DC Days" program in Washington D.C. to celebrate its 20th anniversary in the fight against pediatric cancer. This event is part of the organization's month-long campaign during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The theme of the organization's September campaign is "Every Handprint Tells A Story." The DC Days will include a series of events, including local grant awards to Children's National Hospital (Washington, D.C.) and John Hopkins (Baltimore, MD); Capitol Hill Reception; National Press Conference; Thought Leaders' Symposium, and a Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony. Attendees will include childhood cancer survivors, grant winners, Hyundai executives, Hyundai dealers, childhood cancer advocates, and others. Confirmed VIP attendees include: Ambassador to the United States from the Republic of Korea, Cho Yoon-je; Senator Michael Bennett (CO); Members of the House of Representatives including, Rep. Joaquin Castro (TX), Rep. Mike McCaul (TX), Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (TX), Rep. Mike Kelly (PA); and others. Hyundai Motor America President and CEO, Kenny Lee, The HHOW board of directors and Hyundai global executives will also be in attendance.

"September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. It is a time when we gather to raise awareness about the issue of pediatric cancer," said Scott Fink, board chairman, Hyundai Hope On Wheels. "Amongst all the things we do as dealers and a company, our involvement with Hyundai Hope On Wheels is one of the best and most rewarding. The program is not about selling cars, it's about kids. We know that children are our future and we want them to achieve their potential free of pediatric cancer. This is the mission of Hope On Wheels."

On Friday, September 14^th, the public is invited to participate in a pop-up handprint ceremony, to be held in the Woodrow Wilson Complex at the Ronald Reagan Building. At this event, individuals are encouraged to place a paper-handprint on a white 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. These handprints signify the community's support to the issue of childhood cancer awareness.

Now in its 20^th year, HHOW has emerged as a leader in pediatric cancer research. This September alone, the organization will announce that 38 new doctor-researchers will receive a combined $14.1 million to support novel therapeutic approaches and innovative research options in pediatric cancer. This is in addition to 21 grants totaling $2.1 million that were awarded to hospitals earlier this year. HHOW has surpassed $145 million in pediatric cancer research support since 1998. Childhood cancer researchers depend largely on private funding for groundbreaking therapies to get off the ground and to advance treatment approaches to the next phase of testing, ultimately, bringing better therapies and cures to kids with cancer.

"Our aim is to focus on funding research with the best potential of giving kids the healthy childhoods they deserve," says Brian Smith, Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor America. "We're humbled to say that we've now funded more than $145 million dollars since 1998 to support lifesaving childhood cancer research towards finding a cure. This achievement is made possible by the collective efforts of our amazing dealers, volunteers, and supporters across the nation. Together, we are leading the charge to end childhood cancer."

Every 36 minutes a child is diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. While nearly 80 percent of cancer in children can be cured, pediatric cancer remains the leading disease related cause of death for children. This year's pediatric cancer research grants from HHOW deliver on its decades-long commitment to support the most promising childhood cancer research throughout the nation.

DC Days Event Schedule
*All Events Open to Media

Wednesday, September 12th

10:00 am - Official Grant Presentation Ceremony at Children's National Hospital (Washington, DC)
10:00 am - Official Grant Presentation Ceremony at Johns Hopkins Hospital (Baltimore, MD)

Thursday, September 13th

8:00 am - Press Conference with Members of Congress, HHOW Board, and Hyundai Global Executives at Rayburn House Building, Room #2020

Friday, September 14th

11:00am - Pop-up Handprint Ceremony at the Woodrow Wilson Plaza (Open to Public)

The public is invited to show their support for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month by wearing a gold ribbon all month long. You may also join HHOW online and in social media, by visiting our website (www.HyundaiHopeOnWheels.org/national-childhood-cancer-awareness-month) to view stories of brave cancer survivors and passionate doctor-researchers. Once there, supporters may add their handprint to a wall of hope to show their support for the cause. They will also find information on additional ways to support HHOW through social media efforts and events throughout the month.

For more information about Hyundai Hope On Wheels and to view a list of our 2018 Hope On Wheels grant winners, please visit www.hyundaihopeonwheels.org/research. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram at facebook.com/HyundaiHopeOnWheels, twitter.com/HopeOnWheels or Instagram.com/HyundaiHopeOnWheels.

ABOUT HYUNDAI HOPE ON WHEELS
Hyundai Hope On Wheels® is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization 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 non-profit 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 835 U.S. dealers. Since its inception, Hyundai Hope On Wheels has awarded more than $145 million toward childhood cancer research in pursuit of a cure.

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.

For more details on Hyundai Assurance, please visit www.HyundaiAssurance.com

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SOURCE Hyundai Hope On Wheels