AUSTIN, TX - (June 23, 2009) - Hyundai Motor America and its dealers announced today that Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas has been selected to receive a donation of $40,000 from Hyundai Hope on Wheels™. The 2009 Hope on Wheels Tour is traveling nationwide to donate more than $1.3 million to childhood cancer research institutions.
Dr. Virginia Harrod, M.D., Ph.D, Hematology/Oncology
has been named a 2009 Hyundai Scholar for the second year in a
row, and will use the funds to support her research into her
program on psychosocial intervention as well as a pilot study
evaluating the optimal timing of presentation of the subject of
late effects associated with cancer therapy. Dr. Harrod will be
recognized and the hospital's childhood cancer patients will
take part in the Hope on Wheels Handprint Ceremony, during
which they dip their hands in finger paint and apply their
colorful handprints to a white Hyundai Santa Fe. The car, which
is covered in children's handprints from all over the country,
is the symbol of Hyundai Hope on Wheels.
"We are inspired every day by the brave children we meet at our
Handprint Ceremonies," said Mike Williams of Round Rock
Hyundai. "When the kids place their handprints on the car, we
are honoring their brave battles against cancer, commemorating
their triumphs and sharing their hope for the future with other
children and their families across the country."
"Hyundai and its dealers have been committed to supporting the children, families and doctors battling childhood cancer for more than ten years," said Oscar Leeser, President of the Hyundai National Hope on Wheels Dealer Board, and El Paso, TX Hyundai dealer. "Even in the face of tough economic times for our industry, we will not waver in our commitment to supporting the medical research and training that will produce better treatments, therapies, and one day, a cure."
"This is a great honor for Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas and The Children's Blood and Cancer Center," said Dr. Virginia Harrod, Hematology/Oncology. "The generosity of businesses like Hyundai, gives physicians the opportunity to continue research which allows us to provide the best care to our cancer patients here at Dell Children's."
This year Hyundai Hope on Wheels marks 11 years of commitment to childhood cancer research efforts. Hyundai and its dealers have donated more than $12.4 million to children's hospitals nationwide and collected hundreds of handprints from children fighting childhood cancer. More information and the complete list of 30 stops on the 2009 Hyundai Hope on Wheels Tour is available at www.hyundaihopeonwheels.org.