With the goal of one day finding a cure for all childhood cancers, the
Hyundai Dealers Association and Hyundai Motor America have renewed
their alliance with CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation by pledging to contribute funds and raise awareness for pediatric cancer research.
The 2006 national “Hope On Wheels”
tour officially took to the road on March 29th from Children’s Hospital
of Orange County (CHOC), one of the more than 200 Children’s Oncology
Group member institutions in North America supported by CureSearch.
The
“Hope on Wheels” tour will travel from Southern California to an
additional 22 states, visiting 30 Children’s Oncology Member
institutions while gathering colorful handprints from kids as a symbol
of hope for finding a cure for the number one disease killer of
children.
We saw the vehicle on display at the Detroit Auto Show and it is a site
to behold. The little handprints all over the vehicle are just
heartwarming and moving. You can read their individual stories here.
At
every “handprint ceremony” on the national tour, CureSearch and Hyundai
dealers will join medical staff, and children with cancer and their
families for a check presentation to help fund pediatric cancer
research. Hyundai dealers and Hyundai Motor America have pledged to
raise $1.25 million this year by contributing a portion of every
Hyundai sold in the U.S. Through these unprecedented efforts, Hyundai
has contributed more than $7 million to the cause of pediatric cancer
research since 1998.
Adding her handprint to the Hyundai Tucson at CHOC was Francesca
Arnaudo (pictured) who is the Hyundai “Hope on Wheels” 2006 national
spokes-kid. Francesca, a 9-year-old from Northern California who twice
in her young life has fought the devastating effects of cancer, was
selected after Hyundai conducted a nationwide search to find a
pediatric cancer survivor who could share a personal inspirational
story and message of hope with other kids and families.
“It’s
important for kids and their families to know that they aren’t alone in
their battle against cancer. The handprints on the Hyundai Tucson are a
reminder that kids everywhere are looking forward to reaching the day
when there’s a cure for pediatric cancer,” said Francesca Arnaudo, the
Hyundai Hope On Wheels 2006 national spokes-kid.
“I’m proud to
be one of Hyundai’s 700 dealers across the country committed to
supporting pediatric cancer research and care,” said Scott Fink, owner
of Hyundai of New Port Richey in Florida, and the president of the
national Hyundai Dealer Association. “Through the Hyundai “Hope On
Wheels” program, not only are we helping to find a cure for childhood
cancer, we’re also celebrating treatment milestones in the lives of
these brave young people battling, and beating, this disease.”
Hyundai dealers this year have also announced the creation of a new
Hyundai “Hope On Wheels” educational scholarship to assist
college-bound high school seniors who have battled cancer. U.S. Hyundai
dealers are awarding $2,500 scholarships to each of 10 young adults
around the country. Applications for the scholarship can be found at
the Hyundai “Hope On Wheels” Web site, www.hyundaihopeonwheels.com, and
CureSearch online at www.curesearch.org.
Hyundai’s support of childhood cancer research began in 1998 through
the efforts of Boston-area Hyundai dealers and their donations
benefiting The Jimmy Fund at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Additional support then followed to other children’s hospitals
throughout America through the Hyundai “Hope On Wheels” tour and their
alliance with CureSearch.
