On Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, Hyundai Hope On Wheels® awarded Children’s Minnesota and Dr. Michael Richards, lead investigator for pediatric oncology, with a $100,000 Impact Grant.
The grant was presented during a Handprint Ceremony, the signature event of Hyundai Hope On Wheels, in which children impacted by cancer dip their hands in paint and place their handprints on a white Hyundai vehicle. Their colorful handprints represent their individual and collective journeys, hopes and dreams.
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“This type of support allows us to explore new treatment options and ultimately improve outcomes for children battling cancer. There are many uncertainties with a cancer diagnosis, which is why our team is deeply dedicated to advancing research that can make a difference in the lives of children and their families,” said Dr. Richards. “We are grateful to Hyundai Hope On Wheels for its longstanding commitment to fighting childhood cancer by funding critical research.”
The Impact Grant will be used to support and grow the immunotherapy research program at Children’s Minnesota. Immunotherapy uses the body’s own immune system to find and fight cancer cells. Several clinical trials studying immunotherapy’s effect on difficult to treat pediatric cancers are already open at Children’s Minnesota. The grant will allow the program to open more trials as they become available – giving patients access to the most advanced treatments.
“Over 44 children every day receive the devastating news that they have this disease,” said Gary Koval, regional general manager for the Mountain States Region of Hyundai Motor America. “That is why Hyundai Hope On Wheels is so dedicated to this life-saving cause. ‘Hope lights the way,’ the theme of this year’s initiative, reminds us to remain steadfast in our commitment to funding research and programs to fight this disease.”
Dr. Richards is the primary investigator for the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) clinical trials open at Children’s Minnesota. In addition, he cares for leukemia and lymphoma patients in the system’s cancer and blood disorders program, which is recognized for its high levels of enrollments in clinical trials. Nearly 90% of eligible patients participate in clinical trials. The program does collaborative research to improve outcomes and daily lives for children and teens fighting cancer or a blood disorder.
