C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital to receive $300,000 from Hyundai Hope on Wheels

In the newest rounds of grants marking its 22nd anniversary, Hyundai Hope On Wheels® 501(c)(3) celebrates National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month by awarding a Hyundai Hope Scholar Grant totaling $300,000 to Michigan Medicine C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.

This year’s recipient is Sriram Venneti, M.D., Ph.D., a neuropathologist and researcher at the U-M Rogel Cancer Center and Chad Carr Pediatric Brain Tumor Center. The award was officially presented during a virtual celebration on Sept. 11.

There are over 15,000 new cases of pediatric cancer diagnosed in the U.S. each year. With its “Every Handprint Tells a Story” campaign, Hyundai Hope On Wheels brings together the many stakeholders – the child, families, doctors, hospitals, advocates, donors, and others – who work to identify new ways to find a cure and improve care for children with battling pediatric cancer. When a child is diagnosed, it not only changes their life, but his/her family and broader communal network.

This September, 26 new doctor-researchers will receive a combined $6.2 million in grants to support novel therapeutic approaches and innovative research options in pediatric cancer. Childhood cancer researchers depend largely on private funding for groundbreaking therapies to get off the ground and to advance treatment approaches to the next phase of testing, ultimately, bringing better therapies and cures to kids with cancer.

With this latest award, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital has received more than $2.275 million in grants from Hope On Wheels, contributing to the organization’s $172 million in total lifetime giving.

“Throughout the country, talented doctors are working tirelessly to help kids fight cancer by conducting research or providing bedside care,” said Scott Fink, chairman, Hyundai Hope On Wheels Board of Directors. “Our goal at Hope On Wheels is to provide these doctors with the grant funds they need to perform their lifesaving work.”

Due to social distancing practices, this year’s ceremony took place via Zoom. As “Every Handprint Tells a Story,” the colorful handprints of brave pediatric cancer fighters represent their individual and collective hopes, dreams and journeys.

Supporters are encouraged to visit the HHOW website (www.HyundaiHopeOnWheels.org) to view this year’s grant winners along with stories of brave cancer survivors and passionate doctor-researchers. Once there, supporters may add their handprint to a wall of hope to show their support for the cause. They will also find information on additional ways to support HHOW through social media efforts and events throughout the month. Follow HHOW on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram at facebook.com/HyundaiHopeOnWheels, twitter.com/HopeOnWheels or instagram.com/HyundaiHopeOnWheels.