September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month – a time to bring awareness to childhood cancer and to recognize the young lives impacted by the disease. While pediatric cancer is relatively rare and research has created cure rates upwards of 80%, pediatric cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease for children in the United States. There are over 15,000 new cases diagnosed each year and one in five of these children will not survive the disease.

During this month, Hope On Wheels will donate $10.5 million to 45 Children’s Oncology Group (COG) hospitals and institutions across the U.S. in support of continued medical research and programs that improve the quality of life for children with cancer. At the U.S. Capitol, Hope On Wheels will be joined by members of the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus and other elected officials, policymakers, Hyundai executives and dealers, to pay tribute to researchers, child cancer fighters and their families as part of its annual September program. Hope On Wheels 2015 Scholar Grant winners from institutions across the country will be in attendance. Special recognition will be given to greater Washington, D.C. metro area hospitals that are receiving research grants this year including Children’s National Health System, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University and Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Additionally, Dr. Lisa Diller, Chief Medical Officer, Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer Center will provide an overview of the current state of pediatric oncology, particularly around the ground breaking research being conducted throughout the industry. 

What: Hyundai Hope On Wheels press conference, bringing awareness to childhood cancer during National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. An overview of the current state of pediatric oncology and innovative research being conducted in the field.

Who: Hyundai Hope On Wheels, leading pediatric oncologists, families with children impacted by cancer, Hyundai executives and dealers, members of Congress and the Senate. 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.

Coverage opportunities include:

• Dave Zuchowski, President & CEO, Hyundai Motor America
• Ashley Burnette and Kenny Thomas, Hope On Wheels National Youth Ambassadors
• Pediatric cancer survivors and their families
• Scott Stark, Chairman, Hyundai Hope On Wheels Board of Directors
• Lisa Diller, Chief Medical Officer, Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer Center
• Ambassador Ahn Ho-young, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the United States
• Members of the House of Representatives and Senators, including Mike Kelly (PA), Rep. Mike McCaul (TX), Rep. Chris Van Hollen

Why: On Friday, September 18, Hyundai Hope On Wheels will hold a press conference at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, D.C., as part of its annual September Grants program. These grants will support continued medical research and programs that improve quality of life for children with cancer. An important highlight of the event will be the recognition of local hospitals that are September Grant winners:

• Children’s National Health System will receive a Scholar Grant ($250,000) and a Hyundai Scholar, Young Investigator award ($150,000) for a total of $400,000.
• Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center will receive a $250,000 Scholar grant.
• Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University will receive a $250,000 Scholar grant.

When: Friday, September 18, 2015
7:50am – 9:00am

Where: U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
Room HVC201

Media RSVP: SuJin Oh: T: 1 646 307 6318 E: [email protected]

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