WASHINGTON, Sept. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Last Thursday, Hyundai Hope On Wheels®, a leader in the fight against childhood cancer, alongside Hyundai Motor America executives and Hyundai dealers, hosted a press conference on Capitol Hill. The press conference recognized and celebrated National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.  Event attendees included Congressional leaders, local children's hospitals, patients and families. The event highlighted the achievements of Hope On Wheels' annual September Hope Grant program, which provides research grants aimed at improving the quality of life for children with cancer.

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"We at Hyundai are honored to stand with Congressional leaders to celebrate the $10.25 million in grants we have awarded to leading pediatric cancer centers this month," said John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. "Since Hope On Wheels' inception, Hyundai and its dealers have donated over $72 million in the fight against pediatric cancer, and we won't stop until we find a cure."

The event, held in conjunction with the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus, featured remarks from Representatives Mike McCaul (R-TX), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mike Kelly (R-PA), G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), Chaka Fattah (D-PA), and Janice Hahn (D-CA). CJ George, a 14-year-old cancer survivor and the Hyundai Hope On Wheels National Youth Ambassador spoke about the impact this disease had on his life and the importance of working to find a cure. As part of the event, special recognition was given to the local Washington, D.C. area hospitals that have received Hope Grants; including Children's National Medical Center and Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center.  Other notable guests included Honorable Ahn Ho-young, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the United States of America, children from local area hospitals, and leading physicians and researchers.

The keynote address of the morning came from Dr. Crystal L. Mackall, Chief, Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute. Dr. Mackall provided an overview of the current state of pediatric oncology, addressing the groundbreaking research being conducted throughout the field.

To view the Hyundai Hope On Wheels Washington D.C. press conference in its entirety, please visit the following link: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hyundai-hope-on-wheels

This is the fourth year that Hyundai's competitive Hope Grant program allowed Children's Oncology Group (COG) member institutions to apply for research grants, among the most coveted for COG investigators. A committee of leading pediatric oncologists from around the country reviewed the submitted research proposals and the top 41 hospitals received $250,000 grants each during the month of September.

To learn more about Hyundai Hope On Wheels, please visit www.HyundaiHopeOnWheels.org.  

HYUNDAI HOPE ON WHEELSHyundai 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 AMERICAHyundai 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 owners of Hyundai models equipped with the Hyundai Blue Link telematics system with proactive safety and car care services 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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