Sharon Murphy, M.D., director of the Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, and President Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D., (right), accept the $30,000 gift from Nader Zabihian of World Car Hyundai (second from left) and B.J. “Red” McCombs of Red McCombs Hyundai.
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FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. (Oct. 11, 2007) – Hyundai Motor America and its dealerships presented The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio with a check for $30,000 to aid its pediatric cancer research efforts.

Hyundai’s nationwide 2007 Hope On Wheels tour will visit 30 cities this fall, with donations nearing $1.5 million. Hope On Wheels is the united effort of more than 750 Hyundai dealers to raise awareness for kids battling pediatric cancer.

At the presentation, the Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute of the UT Health Science Center hosted a symbolic “handprint” ceremony that celebrated the children’s lives and treatment milestones by capturing their colorful handprints on a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe.

Since the inception of Hope On Wheels in 2004, the tour has visited more than 70 hospitals nationwide and collected more than 300 handprints at “handprint ceremonies.” Hyundai and its dealers have contributed more than $8 million dollars to research institutions across the country to date. In 2007, Hyundai expects to reach $10 million in total contributions.

“Each year, in approximately 6,000 clinic visits, we care for 80 or more children who are newly diagnosed with cancer in the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital – and follow more than over 400 patients in our survivor clinic,” said Tom Mayes, M.D., M.B.A., professor and chairman of pediatrics for the UT Health Science Center and physician-in-chief at the children’s hospital. “We so appreciate the support we have received from Hyundai’s Hope On Wheels. Together, we are working to eliminate the devastations this disease can cause.”

Marsha Shields from Red McCombs Hyundai and Nader Zabihian from World Car Hyundai help cancer patient Jessica Burgess get ready to put her handprint on the Hope On Wheels vehicle.

“We are proud to make this donation to an organization that has clearly shown leadership and dedication to the fight against pediatric cancer,” said Red McCombs, president of three Red McCombs Hyundai dealerships. “We hope that this program not only raises funds for these deserving institutions, but also raises awareness on a national scale so that other organizations are inspired to make a pledge against pediatric cancer.”

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