Hyundai Cancer Institute

Hyundai Motor America and its non-profit, Hyundai Hope On Wheels, hosted an event at the Marconi Automotive Museum to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Hyundai Cancer Institute at CHOC Children’s. During the event, Hyundai presented CHOC Children’s with the final installment of a $10 million pediatric cancer research grant.

Members of the Hope On Wheels Board of directors and executives from Hyundai joined together with doctors, patients and families from CHOC Children’s to celebrate this milestone.  During the event, representatives from Hyundai and CHOC Children’s spoke about this ongoing partnership and the advances in research as a result of these funds.  Kenny Thomas, Hyundai Hope On Wheels’ National Youth Ambassador, told his story about his own battle with pediatric cancer.

Event participants enjoyed a special performance by ventriloquist, Ms. Megan Piphus. The evening also featured Hope On Wheels signature Handprint Ceremony with child cancer fighters from CHOC. Children and their families were treated to an evening of entertainment, food and other activities.

Dave Zuchowski, Hyundai President and CEO, presented Kim Cripe, CHOC President and CEO, with a $2 million check to complete the pledge grant for the project.  Said Mr. Zuchowski, «it is truly incredible to see the partnership between Hyundai and CHOC grow throughout the years. We applaud CHOC Children’s for their dedication and hard work and for the impact that the Hyundai Cancer Institute has had on countless children.  We know that the research, which this grant funded, has helped them make important advancements in pediatric cancer.» 

Zuchowski concluded, «We also know that much more work is necessary in order to arrive at a time when no child ever has to face being diagnosed with cancer.  Hyundai is committed this cause for as long as it takes.»

The Hyundai Cancer Institute is located at CHOC Children’s in Orange, CA. and serves thousands of families inOrange County and throughout the region.  Led by Dr. Leonard Sender, Medical Director and Chief of Oncology, the Hyundai Cancer Institute continues to pursue innovative approaches to service children diagnosed with pediatric cancer.  The Hope On Wheels research grant for CHOC Children’s has supported an innovative pilot genome-sequencing program that samples the patient’s individual DNA to access critical data containing the key to a custom care plan.

This invaluable information not only benefits the patient, but also allows doctors and researchers to begin to amass a comprehensive database of information that will ultimately impact the care of future patients.  CHOC Children’s continues to be at the vanguard of answering important questions about pediatric cancer and ways to provide improved standards of care to these children.

Dr. Leonard Sender, Medical Director at the Hyundai Cancer Institute at CHOC explained to the participants why the Hyundai Cancer Institute is serving children in Orange County and abroad.  «The last four years have been so exciting at the Hyundai Cancer Institute,» said Sender.  «For the first time, we have been able to do a very comprehensive analysis of the tumors that sadly are still so frequently taking the lives of our children. The lessons learned will guide us in the coming years to change the outcome and lead to increased survival. We are definitely not done and we won’t be until all children are cured with the least long- term side effects.  Thank you Hyundai for sharing our vision.»

Between April and August, Hyundai Hope On Wheels conducts its tour to visit children’s hospitals nationwide and present grant awards.  The organization offers several research grant categories to Children’s Oncology Group Members in the US.  Earlier this month, the Hyundai Quantum Grant application process was announced.  The Quantum will provide a $1 million pediatric cancer research award to four chosen institutions, with a goal to tackle pediatric cancers with the lowest survival rates.

Since the program began in 1998, Hope On Wheels has awarded over $100 million in research grants for pediatric cancer.  The goal of the program remains to end childhood cancer.