Last week I had the privilege of attending the Hyundai Hope on Wheels “Celebration of Life” dinner in Dallas. Hyundai Hope on Wheels is a non-profit organization devoted to funding pediatric cancer research.
Pediatric Cancer Research
The dinner was a huge eye-opener in regards to what lack of attention and funding is given to pediatric cancer. As a mom to 4 kids, we worry about things like the kids getting the flu or breaking an arm – not cancer. Cancer does not discriminate. Did you know that each day, 43 families in the United States find out their child has cancer? Cancer’s impact on children can be devastating.
Did you know that each day, 43 families in the United States find out their child has cancer? Cancer’s impact on children can be devastating, but there is a reason for hope. Now, thankfully more than 80% of children with cancer survive. With pediatric cancer funding from groups like Hyundai Hope on Wheels – that number can increase. It must. 80% isn’t good enough.
At the dinner, we heard from a mom who is walking thru cancer with her young son. Her little boy danced, ate and played at the table next to me. Any outsider would think he is just a typical kid, playing with his food and laughing, not being able to sit still.
At our table, sat a mom who had lost of her at age 17 to brain cancer. It was a lot to process, but with the sad came the hope. We heard from several doctors on the future of cancer research. They are making huge steps to better medicines and ultimately hoping to find a cure. Without research, neither of these are possible.
It was a lot to process, but with the sad came the hope. We heard from several doctors on the future of cancer research. They are making huge steps to better medicines and ultimately hoping to find a cure. Without research, neither of these are possible. And thanks to Hyundai Hope on Wheels, funds are being provided for that research.
Meet Hyundai Hope on Wheels
Hyundai is one of the largest private funders of research into pediatric cancer. Hyundai Hope On Wheels awards financial support – in specific fields of research – to Children’s Oncology Group member institutions. Their mission is to find a cure for childhood cancer, one handprint at a time.
To date, Hyundai has awarded $130 million to groundbreaking research institutes across the country. With every new Hyundai vehicle purchase, Hyundai and its U.S. dealers make a donation to Hyundai Hope On Wheels.
During the “Celebration of Life” dinner, Hyundai awarded several grant recipients funds to help further their mission of finding a cure.
Hyundai Scholar Hope Grant ($250,000)
– Dr. Christopher Porter, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
– Dr. Julie Wolfson, the University of Alabama – Birmingham
Hyundai Young Investigator Grant ($150,000)
– Dr. Kathryn Dickerson, UT Southwestern Children’s Medical Center Foundation
– Dr. Wendy Allen-Rhoades, Texas Children’s Hospital
Spreading the word about childhood cancer research is near and dear to me. A friend and fellow blogger’s son was diagnosed a few years ago with Leukemia. Her son has recently finished his last treatment! Watching what his mom and family had to endure during those years is gut-wrenching.
As a child, one of my close friends also was diagnosed with Leukemia. Again, seeing a child go thru such a devastating disease is something that just shouldn’t happen to anyone, especially a kid.
We need a cure.
- Learn more about Hyundai Hope on Wheels