BIRMINGHAM - Hyundai Hope On Wheels® (HHOW), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization supported by Hyundai and its U.S. dealers, announced A $300,000 Hyundai Scholar Hope grant to the Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders to continue its long-standing fight against pediatric cancer.
HHOW has committed $13.2 million to support 52 new doctor-researchers in their research for better treatment options and to improve care for children diagnosed with pediatric cancer.
The grant went to support the work of Dr. Gregory Friedman, director of Developmental Therapeutics at the Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s of Alabama and an associate professor of neurooncology at UAB.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and HHOW has launched its campaign theme for 2019, “Every Handprint Tells A Story." Every 36 minutes, a child is diagnosed with pediatric cancer, impacting 15,000 new, young lives each year. Childhood cancer remains the leading disease-related cause of death among children. There are many handprints in the fight to find a cure. HHOW remains one of the largest funders to support medical institutions and efforts to develop pediatric cancer research in the nation. This year will reach $160 million in total lifetime funding since 1998 toward finding a cure. With this latest grant, Children’s Alabama has received $450,000 in total grants since 2004 from HHOW.
“For 21 years, Hyundai and its dealers have partnered with medical doctor research teams from the top hospitals and institutions from around the country in a quest to finally beat this disease,” said Scott Fink, Board Chair and Hyundai dealer owner, Hyundai of New Port Richey. “Hyundai’s contributions have helped to significantly improve childhood cancer cure rates to more than 80 percent. This is why every minute is precious and every second matters in the fight against pediatric cancer.”
During the event, children being treated at Children’s Alabama who are battling cancer will participate in the program’s signature Handprint Ceremony, in which they’ll dip their hands in paint and place their handprints on a white 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe. Their colorful handprints on the official Hope Vehicle represent their individual and collective journeys, hopes and dreams.
For more information about Hyundai Hope On Wheels and to view a list of our 2019 Hope On Wheels grant winners, please visit www.hyundaihopeonwheels.org/research.