Hyundai Hope On Wheels® (HHOW), a 501c3 nonprofit organization of Hyundai Motor America, announces its twenty-first annual campaign in the fight against pediatric cancer.
A combined $16 million in new grants are awarded to 75 researchers for innovative approaches to helping kids fight cancer.
Grant winning researchers and local child cancer fighters joined HHOW for its national launch event, held at New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) last week.
The campaign theme for 2019 is "Minutes are Precious". Every 36 minutes a child is diagnosed with pediatric cancer, affecting over 15,000 new cases for children and adolescents annually in the U.S. Every minute is precious, every second matters and every day we fight to find a cure for the disease. Click here to watch our campaign video.
When a child is fighting pediatric cancer, they often miss so many milestones of childhood – a first day of school, a birthday party with friends, a bike ride in the park, a musical recital, or a vacation with family. We recognize the importance of these milestones which provide the simple joys of childhood and that make life so precious. By supporting innovative research and novel therapy, our goal is to insure every child wins their fight.
"The fight against pediatric cancer is a priority for which Hyundai and its dealers have been committed for over 21 years," says Scott Fink, Board Chair and Hyundai dealer owner, Hyundai of New Port Richey. "For a child who travels the uncertain journey of pediatric cancer, every second is precious in the fight. Hyundai and its dealers are united in our goal to end childhood cancer. We continue to stand alongside these brave children and their families until we're celebrating a future that is finally cancer free."
HHOW remains one of the largest funders of pediatric cancer research and this year will reach $160 million in total lifetime funding towards finding a cure. Grants are awarded to Children's Oncology Group® (COG) institutions in the U.S. Grants are selected by an independent peer reviewed committee of pediatric oncologist. HHOW grants are offered five categories: Impact Award ($100,000), Young Investigator Grant ($200,000), Scholar Hope Grant ($300,000), Quantum Grant ($1 million), and Quantum Collaboration Grant ($2.5 million).
"The minutes families spend together with their children create the experiences that makes life worth living," says Brian Smith, Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor America. "When a child is diagnosed with pediatric cancer, they are denied so many of life's joys. With Hyundai Hope On Wheels, we seek to create the precious minutes that will allow a child to be cancer free and fulfill their dreams. Children are precious and they deserve every opportunity to win."
Returning for a second year, Ms. Elizabeth Blair (age 12 of Phoenix, AZ) and Carter Gates (age 14 of Colorado Springs, CO) will serve as the 2019 National Youth Ambassadors. Each will travel the country visiting children's hospitals and attending events to share their unique messages of hope and courage.
