Hyundai Motor America and its nonprofit organization Hyundai Hope On Wheels® will be joined by Emmy Award-winning journalist, actress and TV personality Rocsi Diaz to kick off of its annual Hyundai Hope On Wheels national grant program during the New York International Auto Show.

Diaz will serve as a Celebrity Hope Ambassador. This honorary position is given to influencers willing to help bring awareness to this importance cause.  Diaz is involved in multiple Hope On Wheels activities while in New York, including serving as the moderator for a high-profile mom blogger event and panel discussion hosted in partnership with The MOMS, New York City’s most influential blogger network targeting this important demographic. Diaz will leverage her experience and talent as a TV correspondent and anchor as well as her strong digital following to create awareness for pediatric cancer.  A strong supporter of philanthropic efforts, Diaz also has her own nonprofit organization RocStar Foundation, which raises money to build and refurbish schools devastated by Hurricane Katrina in her native New Orleans.

“We commend Rocsi for her charitable efforts and are grateful that she will join the fight against pediatric cancer alongside Hyundai Hope On Wheels this week as a Hope Ambassador,” said Zafar Brooks, Program Director, Hyundai Hope On Wheels. “Her strong social presence and willingness to be involved will aid in boosting awareness for our program and this worthwhile cause.”

“Childhood cancer is an important issue that should command more attention,” said Rocsi Diaz. “I’m proud to participate in Hyundai Hope On Wheel’s launch activities. I’m moved that Hyundai has been helping kids fight cancer for 17 years and I’m delighted to share that this year they will surpass $100 million in funding groundbreaking research aimed at finding a cure because one child fighting cancer is one child too many.”

Hyundai Hope On Wheels will carry on its “Just One Wish” campaign theme from last year. This theme is designed to convey the mission of the organization to end childhood cancer.   The campaign connects thousands of families affected by the disease via social media.  Parents who visit the Hyundai Hope On Wheels website and social media channels can join the effort by posting a photo of their child and sharing their own stories of courage and hope.  The goal of the Just One Wish campaign is to show the collective wish of a cure for pediatric cancer.  Families can join the effort by visiting the Hope On Wheels website under the section “we win together” or by posting a photo on social media @HopeOnWheels, using hashtags #EndChildhoodCancer and #HopeOnWheels.

For more information about Hyundai Hope On Wheels, please visit www.HyundaiHopeOnWheels.org.

HYUNDAI HOPE ON WHEELS
Hyundai Hope On Wheels® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is committed to finding a cure for childhood cancer.  Launched in 1998, Hyundai Hope On Wheels provides grants to eligible institutions nationwide that are pursuing life-saving research and innovative treatments for the disease. Primary funding for Hyundai Hope On Wheels comes from Hyundai Motor America and its more than 800 U.S. dealers.  Hyundai Hope On Wheels has awarded more than $100 million towards childhood cancer research in pursuit of a cure.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 820 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle limited warranty; Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance. Hyundai Assurance includes Assurance Connected Care that provides owners of Hyundai models equipped with the Hyundai Blue Link telematics system with proactive safety and car care services complimentary for three years. These services include Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostic Alert, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and in-vehicle service scheduling.