On Thursday, July 17, 2025, Hyundai Hope On Wheels® awarded Children’s Minnesota and Dr. Stuart Winter, chief research officer for pediatric oncology, with a $400,000 Hope Scholar 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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“I’m truly honored and grateful for Hyundai Hope on Wheels’ support of our childhood cancer research efforts. This funding represents more than just financial support—it is a commitment to advancing better, safer treatments for leukemia patients. With this support, we will develop new, more precise treatments that could transform the way leukemia is treated,” said Dr. Winter. “We are grateful to Hyundai Hope On Wheels for its longstanding commitment to fighting childhood cancer by funding critical research.”
The Hope Scholar Grant will be used to support and grow acute lymphoblastic research at Children’s Minnesota. Dr. Winter’s research uses information learned from previous Hyundai-funded research, allowing for further exploration in leukemia treatments.
“This story isn’t about us. This is about the families who inspire us every day, and the scientific pioneers, like those here today, who are leading innovative and life-saving research. Their breakthroughs are pushing the boundaries of medicine and providing kids with treatments that were unthinkable five or 10 years ago. Because of this, more children are surviving this disease,” said Gary Koval, regional general manager for the Mountain States Region of Hyundai Motor America. “This is the beating heart of everything we do.”
Dr. Winter is the chief research officer at Children’s Minnesota. In addition, he cares for leukemia and lymphoma patients in the system’s cancer and blood disorders program. The program does collaborative research to improve outcomes and daily lives for children and teens fighting cancer or a blood disorder.
