Hyundai Hope on Wheels marks Childhood Cancer Awareness Month with $100,000 donation to Children’s Health Foundation in London
In recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Hyundai Hope on Wheels is continuing its national tour in London, Ont., partnering with Children’s Health Foundation to help advance pediatric cancer care and research.
At a signature Handprint Ceremony at Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre, Hyundai Hope on Wheels announced a $100,000 donation to Children’s Health Foundation. The funding will support the construction of a new children’s hospital wing at Victoria Hospital, helping centralize pediatric oncology and pediatric cancer research to advance care and treatment for young patients.
The London event marks the latest stop on Hyundai Hope on Wheels’ cross-country tour and the start of a busy month in Ontario, with additional Handprint Ceremonies taking place across the province throughout September. Following the London event, Hyundai Hope on Wheels Canada will have announced more than $1.1 million in donations to pediatric cancer research and care.
“Last year, we embarked on what has become the most important journey in our company’s history with the launch of Hyundai Hope on Wheels in Canada,” says David Badurina, director of corporate affairs and general counsel at Hyundai Auto Canada. “What began as a simple yet powerful commitment to help end childhood cancer has grown into a movement driven by our dealers, healthcare partners, researchers and customers. Together, we are creating hope, funding life-saving research and helping build a brighter future for children and families across Canada.”
Building on the momentum of its inaugural year in Canada, Hyundai Hope on Wheels has committed more than $4.1 million in 2026 toward pediatric cancer care, research and family support programs across the country. Together with Hyundai’s national network of 225 dealers, the initiative supports programs that advance treatment, improve quality of care and help families navigating a childhood cancer diagnosis.
Among those participating in the London Handprint Ceremony was Nia, whose own cancer journey began just weeks into Grade 9.
After experiencing a loss of appetite, persistent heartburn and a swollen stomach, Nia was brought to Children’s Hospital, where she was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma, a rare and aggressive childhood cancer. Within days, she was admitted to the Pediatric Critical Care Unit and began life-saving treatment.
“When I was diagnosed, everything happened so fast. It was scary and overwhelming, and there were times when I didn’t know what to expect,” says Nia. “But the doctors, nurses, child life specialists and everyone at Children’s Hospital helped me feel supported every step of the way. They didn’t just treat my cancer, they helped me stay positive and reminded me that I could keep being myself, even during the hardest days.”
Nia underwent three months of intensive chemotherapy, spending much of that time at Children’s Hospital. Alongside her medical care, child life specialists, nurses and volunteers helped create moments of normalcy and celebrated milestones throughout her treatment.
By February, Nia and her family received the news they had been hoping for: her cancer was in remission.
“Today, I’m back at school, playing volleyball again and focusing on the future,” adds Nia. “I know how fortunate I am to be healthy, and I’m grateful for the care and support that helped me get here. Every child facing cancer deserves the chance to get back to doing what they love, and I’m thankful for the support of my amazing team and programs like Hyundai Hope on Wheels that helped me do that.”
With additional stops across Ontario this September, Hyundai Hope on Wheels will continue partnering with hospitals and foundations to raise awareness of childhood cancer and support research, care and programs helping children and families across the country.
Leaving an impression one handprint at a time
The Handprint Ceremony has become an iconic element of the Hyundai Hope on Wheels campaign, creating a visual reminder of the resilience and resolve of the children and their families who have stared down childhood cancer. Driven by Hyundai Canada and its national network of 225 dealers, the ceremonies mark the importance of donations and partnerships with leading pediatric care foundations, health-care professionals and researchers.
The Hyundai Hope on Wheels campaign is supported by the sale of new Hyundai vehicles in Canada. That means every Hyundai vehicle on the road is more than just a means for getting from Point A to Point B; it’s a symbol of hope, determination and fight to get better outcomes for children and families who get the devastating news of a cancer diagnosis.
Heading back on the road
The national tour of the Hyundai Hope on Wheels campaign is headed to Kingston, Ont., next for a Handprint Ceremony with the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation on September 15, followed by a Handprint Ceremony with the CHEO Foundation in Ottawa on September 17th. With the backing of 225 Hyundai dealers in Canada, the annual cross-country trek of Hyundai Hope on Wheels celebrates the resilience of children and their families in the fight against childhood cancer. Together, we are working to advance research, support families and bring hope to communities in every corner of the nation.