Our Story

In 1998, Hyundai and a group of New England-area dealers joined the fight against pediatric cancer by supporting a local initiative for the Jimmy Fund at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. This initiative quickly grew nationwide and eventually became Hyundai Hope On Wheels. Hyundai Hope On Wheels is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to helping children fight cancer. The organization’s goals are to fund research and raise awareness for childhood cancer. Hyundai Motor America, along with its more than 830 dealers and customers, supports this cause with a donation from every new vehicle sold. By 2024, Hyundai Hope On Wheels will have surpassed $250 million in lifetime donations to pediatric cancer research in the United States.

Why Pediatric Cancer?

Hyundai and its dealers are committed to Better products, Better service, and Better society. Through acts of better, we donate to charitable efforts to make benefit society. Kids are the future and they deserve every opportunity to grow, play and learn in a world free of pediatric cancer. Every 36 minutes a child is diagnosed with the disease in the US. Despite advancement in research, one in five diagnosed will not survive. Pediatric cancer is the leading disease related cause of death for US children. At Hyundai Hope On Wheels, our goal is to fund pediatric cancer research, to drive innovative research and to create new discoveries that increase the survival rates of the disease.

Why Handprints?

Each year Hyundai Hope On Wheels visits children’s hospitals across the U.S. to donate funds and raise awareness. During the event, we host our signature “Handprint Ceremony” which captures each child’s handprint in paint. These handprints are placed on Hyundai cars that travel across the country to build colorful awareness of the program.

The Handprints For Hyundai
Hope On Wheels Represent:

  1. Kids who survived
  2. Kids who are fighting
  3. Kids whose memories live on

Because there is nothing more personal than a handprint, each is distinctive in its own way. By capturing the handprint, Hyundai Hope On Wheels shares the stories, journeys and hopes of in the fight against the disease. Whether it’s completing a round of chemo, celebrating a beautiful new head of hair or receiving a clean bill of health, one child’s milestone can be another’s symbol of hope. And these handprints serve as our symbol.

Why Do We Fight to End Childhood Cancer?

It’s all about the kids. No child ever deserves to hear the words ‘you have cancer.’ Hyundai Hope On Wheels is dedicated to supporting pediatric cancer research that finds innovative approaches, creates discovery, and improves care for children fight cancer. Working together with the physician-research community, we seek to find a day when no child loses his/her fight with cancer again.

In 2024, Hyundai Hope On Wheels will have surpassed $250 million in donations to pediatric cancer research. In the years ahead, we will continue to award additional grant dollars and create greater awareness of the disease. We invite you to join our journey, help spread the word through your direct participation, personal involvement, and social media activities to raise further awareness.

Why Funding Research Matters?

As recent as the 1950’s, a diagnosis of pediatric cancer has an almost always certain outcome and very few children survived. Due to advancements technology, improvements in data analysis, and research collaboration, today nearly 80% of pediatric cancers can be cured. The survival rate, while good, does not tell the entire story. Many forms of pediatric cancer remain high risk for children and have shown little progress. And the harmful side effect for far too many kids, take a severe toll on their bodies. The goal of research is to improve cure and to improve care for children diagnosed with the disease. You may be shocked to discover that less than 4% of federal research funding for cancer is designated for pediatrics. Without necessary funding, potentially life-saving research and new treatment therapies will go undone. We believe that these young childhood-cancer fighters deserve a chance, and Hyundai Hope On Wheels is funding research in pursuit of a cure.

Why Hyundai Hope On Wheels Research Grants?

Hyundai Hope On Wheels has quickly become recognized as a leader in funding of pediatric cancer research in the US. More than 1,00 grants have been awarded over the past 25 years. In fact, there are over 280 Hyundai Hope On Wheels research projects currently underway. A Hyundai Hope On Wheels research grant is awarded to an institution that is member of the Children’s Oncology group of America (COG) and the doctor-researcher is doing research in pediatric oncology, which has a translational benefit to patients. Grant applicants are invited to submit a research proposal once a year. These proposals are peer-reviewed by a scientific panel and funded grants are selected based on their innovation to the field and ability to have the greatest impact on improving cures. There are 4 Hyundai Hope On Wheels grant categories:

The Hyundai Impact Award

($100,000) A one-year grant awarded to the pediatric cancer oncology department at children’s hospitals in the US. Funds may be used to provide programmatic support or clinician for patient care at the center.

The Young Investigator Grant

($250,000) A two-year grant, which is peer-reviewed and competitively selected. The grant supports the work of a pediatric oncologist, who is within his/her first 7 years of practice at an academic institution and is doing translational research.

The Hyundai Scholar Hope Grant

($400,000) A two-year grant, which is peer-reviewed and competitively selected. The grant supports the work of a pediatric oncologist, who is an MD physician-researcher at any level of his/her career at any COG member institution and is doing translational research.

The Hyundai Quantum Award

($1 million) A four-year grant, which is for a peer-reviewed and competitively selected. This grant is awarded to a pediatric oncologist, who is an MD physician-researcher, for advanced research projects that focus on high risk pediatric cancers with low survival rates.

Our Mission

The mission of Hope On Wheels is to help kids fight cancer. We do so by funding innovative research, creating public awareness, stimulating social media conversation and serving as a thought leader.

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