As SuperDad sat and watched the opening NFL game last night, I heard him announce “Hyundai Hope on Wheels” to me. That was all he said. I looked at him and asked, “Yes, what about them?” He explained that he just saw a commercial about them and how they support Childhood Cancer Awareness. “Yes, I know who they are. I follow them on Facebook and Twitter.” He was beyond impressed that the commercial never showed a Hyundai product, it simply focused on the facts that surround pediatric cancer. That in today’s egotistical world is awesome! Kudos to Hyundai!
Hyundai Hope on Wheels®
To demonstrate the environmental advantages and performance of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles {FCEVs} while benefitting kids with cancer, Hyundai Motor America has launched the Hyundai Drive 4 Hope. As the official car of Hope on Wheels, Hyundai’s major pediatric cancer program, a Hyundai Tucson FCEV will travel more than 4,500 miles coast to coast for kids with cancer. During September National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Hyundai Hope on Wheels will award a total of $7.1 million to children’s hospitals nationwide.
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 2011, Hope on Wheels will have committed more than $43 million in donations to pediatric cancer research since the program began in 1998. Hyundai Hope on Wheels is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
What is the Hope on Wheels Tour?
Hope on Wheels donates these funds through its Scholar Grant and September Hope Grant Programs. These grants are given to pediatric oncologists and pediatric cancer research institutions across the country to fund breakthrough research and are awarded during the Hope on Wheels Tour and September Initiative Program.
The Hope on Wheels Tour recognizes the hospitals and medical professionals who care for childhood cancer patients and are conducting research to find a cure. At each tour visit, Hyundai will present each hospital with their donation and recognize the hospital’s newly-designated Hyundai Scholar. In addition, all events on the Tour will include a Hope on Wheels “Handprint Ceremony,” which celebrates pediatric cancer patients’ lives and treatment milestones by capturing their colorful handprints on a white Hyundai Santa Fe.
Hyundai Hope on Wheels 5K Race/Walk
This past Monday, the Hope on Wheels 5K Race/Walk, brought together nearly 1,000 participants to benefit the Hyundai Cancer Institute at CHOC Children’s while observing National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The event featured a Celebration of Life Family Fun Day in addition to the 5K Race & Walk, which was led by ultra marathoner Jenn Shelton and Hyundai Motor America President and CEO John Krafcik.
Following the 3.1 run & walk, local patients from CHOC Children’s, both those currently battling cancer as well as those who have survived their disease, placed their colorful handprints on the “Handprint Wall,” to commemorate their battles with cancer. As part of this ceremony, a $50,000 grant was given to CHOC Children’s for research on sarcoma. The funds were provided by race participant entry fees and Hyundai Motor America.
How You Can Help
{A Message from Hope on Wheels}:
This September – Childhood Cancer Awareness Month – we want to share what we have learned in our 13 years of fighting cancer with Hope on Wheels with you. The more people that learn about the toll this disease takes on children and families, the more they want to help fight it, which is why we’ve dedicated this September to further raising awareness. As we’ve met the numerous children, families, doctors and support teams that help kids fight cancer over the years, we’ve become more and more aware of how many different resources are needed to assist kids and families through cancer – from diagnosis through treatment and beyond. Cutting edge medical research and educational, psychological and emotional support services are all crucial parts of cancer treatment for children and families. The funds that we donate through the Hope on Wheels Tour and this year’s September program will support the people and organizations that are working directly with children and families fighting cancer. On behalf of the more than 800 Hyundai dealers across the U.S., we’re proud to continue to support organizations that help kids fight cancer.
Learn more about the Hope On Wheels program as well as find information about how you can donate to their cause on their website: www.hyundaihopeonwheels.org
You can also find Hyundai Hope on Wheels on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.