WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 23, 2013 – Last Thursday, Hyundai Hope On Wheels®, a leader in the fight against childhood cancer, alongsideHyundai Motor America executives and Hyundai dealers, hosted a press conference on Capitol Hill. The press conference recognized and celebrated National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.  Event attendees included Congressional leaders, local children’s hospitals, patients and families. The event highlighted the achievements of Hope On Wheels’ annual September Hope Grant program, which provides research grants aimed at improving the quality of life for children with cancer.

“We at Hyundai are honored to stand with Congressional leaders to celebrate the $10.25 million in grants we have awarded to leading pediatric cancer centers this month,” said John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. “Since Hope On Wheels’ inception, Hyundai and its dealers have donated over $72 million in the fight against pediatric cancer, and we won’t stop until we find a cure.”

The event, held in conjunction with the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus, featured remarks from Representatives Mike McCaul (R-TX), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mike Kelly (R-PA), G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), Chaka Fattah (D-PA), and Janice Hahn (D-CA). CJ George, a 14-year-old cancer survivor and the Hyundai Hope On Wheels National Youth Ambassador spoke about the impact this disease had on his life and the importance of working to find a cure. As part of the event, special recognition was given to the local Washington, D.C. area hospitals that have received Hope Grants; including Children’s National Medical Center and Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center.  Other notable guests included Honorable Ahn Ho-young, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the United States of America, children from local area hospitals, and leading physicians and researchers.

The keynote address of the morning came from Dr. Crystal L. Mackall, Chief, Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute. Dr. Mackall provided an overview of the current state of pediatric oncology, addressing the groundbreaking research being conducted throughout the field.

To view the Hyundai Hope On Wheels Washington D.C. press conference in its entirety, please visit the following link:http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hyundai-hope-on-wheels

This is the fourth year that Hyundai’s competitive Hope Grant program allowed Children’s Oncology Group (COG) member institutions to apply for research grants, among the most coveted for COG investigators. A committee of leading pediatric oncologists from around the country reviewed the submitted research proposals and the top 41 hospitals received $250,000 grants each during the month of September.