The annual Hyundai Hope On Wheels check presentation at Children’s Medical Center Dallas is far from the stuffy suits-on usually associated with such photo occasions. While a generous check is handed over, it’s the cancer-surviving kids hand-printing a brand new white Hyundai who literally steal the show.
However, this year’s COVID-19 compliance created a different “hands-on” presentation. Via Zoom, Hyundai Motor America South Region Sr. Manager of Merchandising Randy Sterling and Bob Stalling Hyundai’s General Manager Brian Heiser presented Children’s Medical Center Foundation President Brent Christopher and Senior Development Officer Bill Braem with a check for $300,000, bringing Hyundai’s support of the local pediatric children’s cancer research to more than $2.2M.
Upon receiving the check, Brent described the amount as putting “a lot of gas in our tank.”
Putting even more fuel into the presentation were Hyundai National Youth Ambassador Jordyn Hernandez and Children’s Health patient Camila Marquez, who told how they had navigated their challenges with pediatric cancer thanks to healthcare providers and treatments resulting from supporters like Hyundai.
This year’s funding will support Hyundai Hope Scholar and Young Investigator/Children’s Health and UT Southwestern assistant professor of pediatrics Dr. Samuel John in his work to tackle aggressive solid tumors. His hope is to use the body’s own immune system to kill off the cells, eventually eliminating the tumors.
While the hand-printing of the SUV by the kids wouldn’t be possible, the Zoomers signed off with all hands on screen.
Since its launch in 1998, Hyundai Hope On Wheels has provided more than $172M towards “childhood cancer research in pursuit of a care.”
* Photo provided by Children's Medical Center Foundation
Cristy Ecton says
Love this! 🙌