Hyundai Hope on Wheels and Los Angeles-area Hyundai dealers have awarded a $75,000 Hyundai Scholar Grant to Dr. Vivian Chang, a clinical instructor in pediatric hematology and oncology and co-director of the Pediatric Cancer Predisposition Clinic at Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA, for her work researching DNA sequencing technology to identify cancerous genes.
Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA is one of 40 recipients of Hope on Wheels' 2013 Hyundai Scholar Grant, which supports principal investigators known as Hyundai Scholars. Hyundai Scholars pursue research and implement clinical programs aimed at improving the lives of children battling pediatric cancer.
"We are deeply appreciative of Hyundai Hope on Wheels' support of Dr. Chang's work in whole-exome sequencing to identify a predisposition to cancer," said Dr. Theodore B. Moore, chief of pediatric hematology and oncology at Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA. "This sophisticated technology is faster and less expensive for the patient and will help oncologists to design a personal surveillance program using advanced tools to find the kinds of cancer a child is at risk for developing."
Over the course of 2013, Hope on Wheels will donate $14 million to children's hospitals nationwide through its Hyundai Scholar Grant and Hyundai Hope Grant programs. Celebrating its 15th year, Hope on Wheels will surpass $72 million in total donations to pediatric cancer research and programs since its inception in 1998. Since 2010, Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA has received $275,000 from Hope on Wheels.
"Hyundai and its dealers remain committed to helping children in the fight against pediatric cancer," said John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. "We are dedicated to providing crucial research dollars that will lead to finding cures and better treatment protocols for these precious children impacted by cancer. While cure rates approach 80 percent for some forms of pediatric cancer, far too many children and families are devastated by the disease. We are proud of our 15-year milestone for Hyundai Hope on Wheels, and remain keenly aware that there is much more work to be done."
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For more information on Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA, visit