Hyundai Motor America And CHOC Children's Celebrate The Fifth Anniversary Of The Hyundai Cancer Institute

Hyundai Hope On Wheels presents final installment of a $10 million research grant to CHOC Children's

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA -- June 29, 2015: Last week, Hyundai Motor America and its non-profit, Hyundai Hope On Wheels, hosted an event at the Marconi Automotive Museum to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Hyundai Cancer Institute at CHOC Children's. During the event, Hyundai presented CHOC Children's with the final installment of a $10 million pediatric cancer research grant.

Members of the Hope On Wheels Board of directors and executives from Hyundai joined together with doctors, patients and families from CHOC Children's to celebrate this milestone. During the event, representatives from Hyundai and CHOC Children's spoke about this ongoing partnership and the advances in research as a result of these funds. Kenny Thomas, Hyundai Hope On Wheels' National Youth Ambassador, told his story about his own battle with pediatric cancer. Event participants enjoyed a special performance by ventriloquist, Ms. Megan Piphus. The evening also featured Hope On Wheels signature Handprint Ceremony with child cancer fighters from CHOC. Children and their families were treated to an evening of entertainment, food and other activities.

Dave Zuchowski, Hyundai President and CEO, presented Kim Cripe, CHOC President and CEO, with a $2 million check to complete the pledge grant for the project. Said Mr. Zuchowski, "it is truly incredible to see the partnership between Hyundai and CHOC grow throughout the years. We applaud CHOC Children's for their dedication and hard work and for the impact that the Hyundai Cancer Institute has had on countless children. We know that the research, which this grant funded, has helped them make important advancements in pediatric cancer." Zuchowski concluded, "We also know that much more work is necessary in order to arrive at a time when no child ever has to face being diagnosed with cancer. Hyundai is committed this cause for as long as it takes."

The Hyundai Cancer Institute is located at CHOC Children's in Orange, CA. and serves thousands of families in Orange County and throughout the region. Led by Dr. Leonard Sender, Medical Director and Chief of Oncology, the Hyundai Cancer Institute continues to pursue innovative approaches to service children diagnosed with pediatric cancer. The Hope On Wheels research grant for CHOC Children's has supported an innovative pilot genome-sequencing program that samples the patient's individual DNA to access critical data containing the key to a custom care plan. This invaluable information not only benefits the patient, but also allows doctors and researchers to begin to amass a comprehensive database of information that will ultimately impact the care of future patients. CHOC Children's continues to be at the vanguard of answering important questions about pediatric cancer and ways to provide improved standards of care to these children.

Dr. Leonard Sender, Medical Director at the Hyundai Cancer Institute at CHOC explained to the participants why the Hyundai Cancer Institute is serving children in Orange County and abroad. "The last four years have been so exciting at the Hyundai Cancer Institute," said Sender. "For the first time, we have been able to do a very comprehensive analysis of the tumors that sadly are still so frequently taking the lives of our children. The lessons learned will guide us in the coming years to change the outcome and lead to increased survival. We are definitely not done and we won't be until all children are cured with the least long- term side effects. Thank you Hyundai for sharing our vision."

Between April and August, Hyundai Hope On Wheels conducts its tour to visit children's hospitals nationwide and present grant awards. The organization offers several research grant categories to Children's Oncology Group Members in the US. Earlier this month, the Hyundai Quantum Grant application process was announced. The Quantum will provide a $1 million pediatric cancer research award to four chosen institutions, with a goal to tackle pediatric cancers with the lowest survival rates. During the month of September, the organization will conduct its annual campaign as a part of national childhood cancer awareness month. A series of social media activities, celebrity engagement, 5K series, and special events will be held to build greater awareness for the cause. One goal for this year is to create 100,000 Facebook followers to join the cause.

The newly elected Chairman of the Board for Hyundai Hope On Wheels is Scott Stark from Austin, Texas. Mr. Stark flew in to participate in the event and recommitted the organization's commitment to funding innovative research for pediatric cancer. "I am so proud of the commitment of Hyundai and its dealers to this cause for over 17 years", said Stark. "This year alone, we will award over $15 million in funding of new research funding for pediatric cancer, allowing more than 72 new research projects to begin throughout the US. As we have seen here at CHOC Children's, these research initiatives play a vital role in developing new studies, provide a better understanding of these diseases and someday, hopefully soon, lead to a cure."