Hyundai Hope on Wheels will award UT Health Science Center San Antonio with $75,000 Hyundai Scholar Grant for Pediatric Cancer Research

Nonprofit to surpass $72 million in total donations in support of childhood cancer research and programs by year-end 2013; UT Health Science Center has received $555,000 from Hope On Wheels since 2007

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – August 13, 2013Hyundai Hope On Wheels® and San Antonio Hyundai dealers today will award The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio with a $75,000 Hyundai Scholar Grant to Dr. Allison Grimes, pediatric hematology/oncology fellow in the School of Medicine, for her research on the causation of pancreatitis as a side effect of leukemia therapy in children. UT Health Science Center is one of 40 recipients of Hope On Wheels’ 2013 Hyundai Scholar Grant, which supports principal investigators known as Hyundai Scholars. Hyundai Scholars pursue research and implement clinical programs aimed at improving the lives of children battling pediatric cancer.

Over the course of 2013, Hope On Wheels will donate $14 million to children’s hospitals nationwide through its Hyundai Scholar Grant and Hyundai Hope Grant programs. Celebrating its 15th year, Hope On Wheels will surpass $72 million in total donations to pediatric cancer research and programs since its inception in 1998. Since 2007, UT Health Science Center has received $555,000 from Hope On Wheels.

“Hyundai’s generous Scholar Grant will support cutting-edge investigations into the role of gene factors in treatment-related pancreatitis in childhood leukemia. Pancreatitis is a severe side effect of therapy with significant morbidity and mortality that limits subsequent treatment,” Dr. Grimes said. “Identifying underlying gene mutations associated with chemotherapy-related pancreatitis will enable physicians to individualize therapy for children at greatest risk. We are committed to improving quality of life while minimizing adverse treatment effects in the growing numbers of survivors of childhood leukemia.”

The $75,000 Hyundai Scholar Grant to Dr. Grimes, who is one of 15 subspecialty fellows in the Department of Pediatrics Residency Program, will be officially presented during a Hope On Wheels Handprint Ceremony at Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute at the UT Health Science Center on Tuesday, Aug. 13, at 10 a.m. During the ceremony, local children battling cancer will place their handprints dipped in colorful paint on a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, the official vehicle of Hope On Wheels. Every Handprint Ceremony celebrates the courageous lives of the children faced with cancer and brings Hope On Wheels’ community of supporters together.

Hope On Wheels builds public awareness about the importance of this cause and provides funds to nonprofit children’s hospitals across the U.S. for pediatric cancer research and programs. The nonprofit is funded by Hyundai and its U.S. dealers. With every new vehicle sold in the U.S., Hyundai and its dealers make a contribution to Hope On Wheels.

“Hyundai and its dealers remain committed to helping children in the fight against pediatric cancer,” said John Krafcik. “We are dedicated to providing crucial research dollars that will lead to finding cures and better treatment protocols for these precious children impacted by cancer. While cure rates approach 80 percent for some forms of pediatric cancer, far too many children and families are devastated by the disease. We are proud of our 15-year milestone for Hyundai Hope On Wheels, and remain keenly aware that there is much more work to be done.”

For more information about Hyundai Hope On Wheels, please visit Hyundai Hope on Wheels.
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HYUNDAI HOPE ON WHEELS
Hyundai Hope On Wheels® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is committed to finding a cure for childhood cancer. Launched in 1998, Hyundai Hope On Wheels provides grants to eligible institutions nationwide that are pursuing life-saving research and innovative treatments for the disease. Primary funding for Hyundai Hope On Wheels comes from Hyundai Motor America and its more than 800 U.S. dealers. At the end of its 15th year, Hyundai Hope On Wheels will have awarded more than $72 million towards childhood cancer research in pursuit of a cure.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Costa Mesa, 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 820 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle limited warranty, Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance. Hyundai Assurance includes Assurance Connected Care that provides Hyundai owners with proactive safety and car care services made possible by the Hyundai Blue Link telematics platform, complimentary for three years. These services include Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostic Alert, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and in-vehicle service scheduling.

For more details on Hyundai Assurance, please visit www.HyundaiAssurance.com

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