Letter From Dave Zuchowski
As I reflect back on Hyundai Hope On Wheels this past year, I am reminded of all of the people whose passionate commitment and hard work have helped us to experience our best year ever in the fight against pediatric cancer. In just 17 years, we have surpassed the $100 million milestone in lifetime funding of childhood cancer research. And in 2015 alone, we awarded 36 Hyundai Scholar Awards, 10 Young Investigator grants, 24 Impact grants and 4 Quantum Awards totaling $15,500,000.
I also want to express our deepest gratitude to our National Youth Ambassadors Ashley Burnette and Kenny Thomas. Their commitment to Hope On Wheels over the last two years is nothing short of remarkable. By sharing their own personal stories at our launch events in NY, during DC Days and national TV interviews and at many hospital handprint ceremonies across the country, they gave hope to so many children and their families. They will forever be part of our Hyundai Hope On Wheels family. This year we will begin our search for new National Youth Ambassadors which will allow us to continue elevating the conversation nationally and working with children who are bravely battling this disease.
As we begin 2016, we are delighted to share that we will move ahead with our Scholar/Young Investigator and Impact grants as well as our newest grant, the Quantum Award. There are a lot of other exiting events, initiatives and activities to look forward to in the New Year and we will keep you updated. Thank you again for making 2015 an extraordinary year for Hyundai Hope on Wheels. I look forward to working with you in 2016.
2015 Year in Review
- $100 Million milestone in lifetime grants for pediatric cancer research
in the U.S. - 36 pediatric cancer research projects funded for two years at $250,000 each
- 10 Young Investigator Awards for promising innovative research funded for two years at $150,000 each
- 24 Impact Awards presented to children’s hospital pediatric cancer programs in the amount of $50,000 each, to serve family needs
4 Quantum Awards announced for innovative research in high risk cancer, in the amount of
$1 million each
- Celebrities joined our cause and added their handprint in the fight against pediatric cancer:
Melanie Fiona, Rocsi Diaz and
Luke Wade - During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we displayed a special message on the Hyundai Times Square Billboard
- Our National Youth Ambassadors were featured on a Good Morning America segment
- Two institutions achieved the $10 million or more grant milestone from
Hope On Wheels - 22 children’s hospitals exceeded the$1 million or more in lifetime grants from Hope On Wheels
- Seven 5k run/walk events held, with well over 50,000 participants to support pediatric cancer research
- St. Joseph’s Children’s in Tampa named its newest hospital wing the Hyundai Oncology Unit
- Hosted 6th Annual Washington, D.C. Days events in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month – including participation of four U.S. Senators, oneAmbassador and 14 Members of Congress
- Launched a Hope On Wheels Teen Summit (Washington, D.C.)
- Feature segment on HLN’s The Daily Share with Rocsi Diaz
Hope On Wheels Brings Cheer to CHOC
This holiday season, Hope On Wheels surprised kids with a joyful event at a hospital near their headquarters in Orange County, California. On Tuesday, December 22, a Hope On Wheels handprint vehicle visited Children’s Hospital of California (CHOC) to deliver a truck full of presents. Our wish was to bring joy to the kids, their families and loved ones who spent the holiday season in the hospital and to show our appreciation to the doctors, nurses and hospital staff who treat them. We are especially grateful for the guidance and support of Dr. Leonard Sender, Medical Director and Winnie Tran, Manager, Corporate Relations, who worked with us to create this special and festive event during the holidays.