A renewed $100,000 investment from Hyundai Hope on Wheels will help children across southeastern Ontario access groundbreaking research and clinical trials—close to home.
Hyundai Hope on Wheels, thanks to Hyundai Canada and its network of 225 dealers nationwide, is continuing its investment in pediatric cancer research at Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) with a new donation to support pediatric oncology research and clinical trials.
The gift, made through University Hospitals Kingston Foundation (UHKF), builds on Hyundai Hope on Wheels' commitment to improving outcomes for children with cancer. It will help ensure young patients and their families can continue accessing innovative clinical trials and leading-edge treatments close to home.
"It is very exciting," said Dr. Laura Wheaton, Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist at KHSC. "Having the Hyundai Hope on Wheels donation to pediatric oncology research really allows us to continue the important and vital work we're doing."
The donation follows last year's investment of $100,000 from Hyundai Hope on Wheels, with an additional $50,000 from Hyundai dealerships from Belleville, Kingston, Smiths Falls and Brockville.
As one of Canada's tertiary pediatric oncology centres, KHSC is dedicated to ensuring children and families in southeastern Ontario have access to promising new clinical trials without the added burden of travelling outside the region.
"Providing access to clinical trials and pediatric oncology research is a key part of our mandate," said Dr. Wheaton. "We want every family to have access to the best care available, right here in our community. Investments like this are essential to maintaining that higher standard of care."
Last year's funding strengthened KHSC's pediatric oncology research program by supporting a second research associate, significantly expanding the team's capacity to coordinate more than 15 active clinical trials while meeting the complex regulatory requirements that accompany cancer research. That additional capacity means more children can participate in potentially life-changing studies and receive access to emerging treatments.
“We are grateful to be in a position to support and help accelerate life-changing studies and treatments for children,” said Steve Flamand, president and CEO of Hyundai Auto Canada. “We thank University Hospitals Kingston Foundation for its partnership, as well as the dedicated pediatric oncology research team and health-care practitioners at Kingston Health Sciences Centre.”
This year's donation will further strengthen KHSC's research infrastructure while helping discover new treatments, such as our study exploring whether cryotherapy using ice chips, popsicles and slushies can reduce painful chemotherapy-related mouth sores in children undergoing treatment.
"Our pediatric oncology program is able to offer these opportunities because of the incredible support we receive from our community,” said Dr. Wheaton. "Hyundai’s investment allows us to continue advancing research. We are incredibly grateful for their continued support."
