Hyundai Motor America Continues Its Fight Against Pediatric Cancer With The 2007 Hope On Wheels Tour
With 28 Nationwide Stops Planned For 2007, Hyundai Hopes To Surpass $10 Million In Total Contributions Since The Program’s Inception
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 06/18/2007 Hyundai Motor America and its dealers announced their recommitment to the fight against pediatric cancer with the 2007 Hope On Wheels tour. Hope On Wheels is the united effort of more than 750 Hyundai dealers to raise awareness for kids battling pediatric cancer.
This summer, 28 ceremonial donation events will take place at pediatric cancer research institutions across the country to celebrate children’s lives and treatment milestones by capturing their colorful handprints on a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. As part of each ceremony, regional Hyundai dealers support the life-giving work being done by these hospitals with donations raised through the sale of Hyundai vehicles. In addition, Francesca Arnaudo, a two-time cancer survivor now 11 years old, will once again be the Hyundai Hope On Wheels spokes-kid for 2007.
Since the inception of Hope On Wheels in 2004, the tour has visited more than 70 hospitals nationwide and collected more than 300 handprints at “handprint ceremonies.” Hyundai and its dealers have contributed more than eight million dollars to research institutions across the country to date. In 2007, Hyundai expects to reach $10 million in total contributions.
“Fifty years ago children with standard risk leukemia had very little hope of surviving, but with the aid of pediatric cancer institutions across the nation they now have close to a 90 percent chance of being cured,” said Dr. Leonard Sender, M.D., medical director of the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) Cancer Institute. CHOC is an ongoing beneficiary of Hyundai’s pediatric cancer efforts and recently received an all-new Hope On Wheels Santa Fe. “With the donations and generous aid we receive from organizations like Hyundai, our facility and others can continue to conduct the research and innovative forward-thinking that enable us to provide our patients with the best clinical care and preventative tools.”
“We are excited and proud to continue our ninth year commitment to helping children who have overcome or are battling pediatric cancer,” said Steve Wilhite, chief operating officer, Hyundai Motor America. “Providing financial assistance is just the first step. Hyundai plans to be personally and emotionally committed to the Hope On Wheels campaign as we raise awareness and support in multiple communities.”
The complete list of 2007 Hope On Wheels tour stops, including benefiting hospitals will be updated on www.hopeonwheels.com.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 750 dealerships nationwide.