Why Hyundai Motor Has Spent 300 Billion Won Over 25 Years on Pediatric Cancer Treatment

Hyundai Motor's Hope on Wheels 25th Anniversary Event
Jung Eui-sun: "Progress for Humanity... Hope for Children"
One of the Top 3 Pediatric Cancer Foundations in the US
Supporting Innovative Research and Treatment Since 1998

Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun and company executives held the 25th anniversary event of the campaign "Hyundai Hope On Wheels" to fight pediatric cancer on the 21st (local time) in Washington D.C., USA.

This campaign is Hyundai Motor's representative social contribution activity in the United States. To help children with pediatric cancer, the Hope On Wheels Foundation was established and has been supporting pediatric cancer-related hospitals and research institutions since 1998. It operates as a joint fund where Hyundai dealers accumulate a certain amount each time a car is sold, and Hyundai Motor adds donations. About 830 dealers across the United States participate.

From the front row on the left, Oliver Foster and Rainy Clark, child ambassadors of Hope on Wheels; from the back row on the left, John Gustafero, director of the Hope on Wheels Foundation; Jang Jae-hoon, President of Hyundai Motor Company; Chung Eui-sun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group; Don Riley, co-founder of Hope on Wheels; Kevin Riley, Vice Chairman of Hope on Wheels; and Jose Munoz, Global COO of Hyundai Motor Company, are posing for a commemorative photo after the ceremonial first pitch on the 20th (local time).

The purpose is to contribute to ending pediatric cancer by researching and supporting treatment for pediatric cancer, which is a leading cause of death among children in the United States. The foundation is considered one of the top three pediatric cancer-related foundations in the U.S. based on the size of its funds. Chairman Chung Eui-sun said, "We are dedicated to doing the right things for the world," adding, "In that sense, one of the activities we cherish is Hope On Wheels, which helps create a world free from pediatric cancer and gives hope to children battling the disease."

The event was attended by about 250 people, including U.S. Senators such as Tom Cotton, U.S. Representatives such as Mike Kelly, Korean Ambassador to the U.S. Cho Hyun-dong, Hope On Wheels child ambassadors, and hospital officials. Hyundai Motor donated $25 million this year to commemorate the 25th anniversary. The cumulative donation amount reaches $225 million (approximately 300 billion KRW). A total of 175 hospitals and research institutions treating or researching pediatric cancer in the U.S. have received support from this foundation.

Every September, which is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month in the U.S., the company holds an annual commemorative event in Washington D.C. attended by key members of the Congressional Pediatric Cancer Caucus, medical associations, related organizations, and children who have overcome pediatric cancer. In recognition of the long-term campaign, pediatric cancer caucus members presented a U.S. flag that had been hung in the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. in 2012.

Rainie Clark (left) and Oliver Foster, child ambassadors for Hope on Wheels, are throwing the first pitch.

On the day before the commemorative event, the 20th (local time), children who are ambassadors for the foundation threw the ceremonial first pitch at the home stadium of the Washington Nationals baseball team. The child ambassadors who overcame pediatric cancer threw the first pitch at a U.S. professional baseball game, delivering hope to children and families worldwide fighting cancer.

The 11-year-old children who threw the first pitch, Oliver Foster and Rainey Clark, were diagnosed with leukemia at ages 5 and 6, respectively, and endured years of treatment. They are currently touring across the U.S. as Hyundai Hope On Wheels ambassadors. Hyundai Motor executives including Chairman Chung Eui-sun, Hyundai Motor President Jang Jae-hoon, and Hyundai Motor Chief Operating Officer Jose Munoz personally watched the first pitch and encouraged the children.

Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun is giving a welcome speech at the 25th anniversary event of Hyundai Hope on Wheels held in Washington D.C., USA, on the 21st (local time).
[Photo by Hyundai Motor Group]

Chung Euisun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group (center), Jang Jaehoon, President of Hyundai Motor Company (center left), Jose Munoz, Global COO of Hyundai Motor Company (center right), along with Hope on Wheels child ambassadors, foundation officials, and medical staff, are taking a commemorative photo together at the Hyundai Hope on Wheels 25th anniversary event.
[Photo by Hyundai Motor Group]

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.