Inspired by Bennett’s journey, Hyundai Hope on Wheels donates $100,000 to support pediatric cancer care at McMaster Children’s Hospital
Bennett was just six years old when arrived at McMaster Children’s Hospital with flu-like symptoms.
It was only after a physical exam and diagnostic scans that the unsettling truth was revealed: A baseball-sized tumour growing from one of his ribs. Bennett was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare and aggressive bone cancer.
What followed was a journey of extraordinary courage: 14 rounds of chemotherapy, 32 days of radiation, surgery and countless difficult procedures. Through it all, Bennett faced every challenge with what his parents Scott and Katelyn describe as “relentless natural optimism.”
“When your child becomes seriously ill, life as you know it comes to a stop,” says Katelyn. “Everything becomes about getting your child the care they need and being there for them through every step. There is nothing harder than watching your child fight for their life.”
Today, Bennett is 10 years old, in remission and thriving. His story is a reminder of what is at stake in every scan.
Hyundai Hope on Wheels is helping children like Bennett with a $100,000 donation to MacKids to help advance care and support for pediatric cancer patients. The donation was made during a moving Handprint Ceremony at McMaster Children’s Hospital, where Bennett and his mother and brother shared their journey. Driven by Hyundai Canada and its national network of 225 dealers, the Handprint Ceremony marks the importance of donations and partnerships with leading pediatric care foundations, health-care professionals and researchers.
Next-generation imaging technology
The donation from Hyundai Hope on Wheels will support a $3-million campaign to bring an Alpha Photon-Counting Computer Tomography (PCCT) scanner to McMaster Children’s Hospital in Hamilton. This advanced imaging technology could improve pediatric care through lower radiation exposure, clearer images and faster scans, while potentially reducing the need for sedation and making procedures less stressful for children and families. McMaster Children’s Hospital hopes to have the scanner in place by spring 2027.
As one of only three regional centres in Ontario with a pediatric oncology inpatient unit, McMaster Children’s Hospital provides specialized cancer treatment and critical support for children and families navigating a cancer diagnosis.
Colourful reminder of perseverance and resilience
Every new Hyundai vehicle sold at one of the 225 Hyundai dealers in Canada contributes a portion to Hyundai Hope on Wheels, a registered charitable foundation dedicated to helping end childhood cancer. The Handprint Ceremonies give children who have faced cancer an opportunity to leave a colourful mark on a Hyundai vehicle. Together, the handprints transform the vehicle into a moving symbol of hope, resilience and the shared effort to create a future free from childhood cancer.
This year, the second year of the campaign’s cross-Canada tour, the initiative is committing $4.1 million to pediatric cancer. Through a partnership with the C17 council, Hyundai Hope on Wheels is also providing dedicated funding to help advance pediatric oncology clinical trials and research.
“Bennett’s story is a powerful reminder of why we invest in childhood cancer care,” says Ken Maisonville, Chief Operating Officer of Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. “Every child deserves access to the best possible treatment and support. Through Hyundai Hope on Wheels, we are proud to stand with families, health-care providers and communities working to improve outcomes for children facing cancer.”
Into the stretch run
The second year of the cross-Canada Hyundai Hope on Wheels is now in its stretch run, with three more stops before wrapping up the 2026 edition and kicking off planning for Year 3 in 2027. To close out the final leg of the tour, Hyundai Hope on Wheels will be bringing Handprint Ceremonies to Toronto on October 19th, Quebec City on October 22nd and Montreal on October 23rd.