NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Hyundai Hope On Wheels® 501c3 nonprofit organization, celebrates its 20th year in the fight funding pediatric cancer research, and presents Dr. Debra Friedman of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt with a $100,000 Hyundai Impact Award.  The institution is one of 21 recipients of this year’s award, which is given to pediatric oncology departments at select children’s hospitals nationwide. The $100,000 Hyundai Impact Award will be officially presented to Dr. Debra Friedman at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at VanderbiltTuesday, June 12, at 10 a.m.

In 2018, Hope On Wheels will award over $15 million toward pediatric cancer research and programs. This brings the organization’s donation total to $145 million since Hyundai joined the fight against pediatric cancer 20 years ago in 1998. With this latest grant, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital has received more than $1.2 million total grants since 2007 from Hope On Wheels.

“Support from Hyundai Hope On Wheels has been essential to support pediatric oncology research in the laboratory and the clinic, allowing discovery, improved treatment and enhanced supportive care. This year, the Impact Grant will support research into the physical and psychosocial issues faced by adolescents and young adults fighting cancer, as well as their families. This research will allow us to develop appropriate services to lessen the burden of cancer in this vulnerable population,” said Debra Friedman, MD, director of Vanderbilt’s Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and associate professor of Pediatrics.

“Throughout the country, talented doctors are working tirelessly to help kids fight cancer by conducting research or providing bedside care,” said Scott Fink, chairman, Hyundai Hope On Wheels Board of Directors. “Our goal at Hope On Wheels is to provide these doctors with the grant funds they need to perform their lifesaving work.”

During the event, children being treated at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital who are battling cancer will participate in the program’s signature Handprint Ceremony, in which they’ll dip their hands in paint and place their handprints on a white 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. Their colorful handprints on the official Hope Vehicle represent their individual and collective journeys, hopes and dreams.

For more information about Hyundai Hope On Wheels and to view a complete list of this year’s grant winners, please visit HyundaiHopeOnWheels.org/research. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram at facebook.com/HyundaiHopeOnWheels, twitter.com/HopeOnWheels or instagram.com/HyundaiHopeOnWheels.

ABOUT MONROE CARELL JR. CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL AT VANDERBILT
Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, a freestanding 267-bed facility dedicated to serving only children, is nationally recognized as a leading provider of pediatric health care services. Experts treat and work to prevent all health issues ranging from common childhood conditions to serious, advanced diseases. Featuring Centers of Excellence for the treatment of diabetes and congenital heart disorders, Children’s Hospital also operates the region’s only level 1 pediatric trauma unit and a neonatal intensive care unit with the highest designated level of care. In addition, Children’s Hospital is a top-level teaching and research facility. As a nonprofit organization, the hospital cares for children of Tennessee and surrounding states regardless of their ability to pay. Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt is again named among the top pediatric health care hospitals in U.S. News & World Report magazine’s annual Best Children’s Hospitals rankings. Children’s Hospital has been ranked every year by U.S. News since the inception of the publication’s pediatric rankings, now in its tenth year. For more information, please visit http://childrenshospital.vanderbilt.org/

HYUNDAI HOPE ON WHEELS
Hyundai Hope On Wheels® is a 501(c)(3) non-profit 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. HHOW is one of the largest non-profit funders of pediatric cancer research in the country, and primary funding for Hyundai Hope On Wheels comes from Hyundai Motor America and its more than 835 U.S. dealers. Since its inception, Hyundai Hope On Wheels has awarded more than $145 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 Company of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through 835 dealerships nationwide. All new Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes a 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.