The Hyundai Hope On Wheels (HHOW) program has presented a $300,000 Hyundai Scholar Hope to Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego to continue its long-standing fight against pediatric cancer. The Hyundai Scholar Hope grant was officially presented to Dr. Peter Zage at Rady Children's on Friday morning, September 27, 2019.
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 towards finding a cure. With this latest grant, Rady Children's has received $1.8M in total grants since 2005 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,” says 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 Rady Children's who are battling cancer participated in the program’s signature Handprint Ceremony, where they dipped their hands in paint and placed 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.