Hyundai earns Community Spotlight for giving more than $301M to childhood cancer research

With KTAR’s annual Give-A-Thon approaching, we’re highlighting Your Valley Hyundai Dealers’ longtime support of Phoenix Children’s and childhood cancer research through Hyundai Hope on Wheels.

Adam Breen, general manager of Earnhardt San Tan Hyundai, said the company has donated about $1.8 million to Phoenix Children’s.

“No child or family ever wants to hear you have cancer,” Breen told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News on Thursday. “These kids should be worried about playing in the parks and drinking their lemonade and everything else in between.”

Hyundai Hope on Wheels supports childhood cancer research

Breen said Hyundai’s involvement reflects the company’s commitment to supporting children and families affected by serious illness. In addition to its longtime partnership with Give-A-Thon, Hyundai also funds childhood cancer research through Hyundai Hope on Wheels.

Breen said the program has become one of the nation’s largest private funders of childhood cancer research.

“It all started years ago in the East by a small group of dealers, and it now turned into Hyundai Hope on Wheels,” he said. “To date, we have donated $303 million to childhood cancer research.”

The effort is funded through Hyundai vehicle sales nationwide, Breen said.

“Every vehicle sold, a portion of that goes to fund Hyundai Hope on Wheels and the grants that we were able to give over 155 different hospitals,” he said.

Breen also encouraged people to recognize the work being done inside Phoenix Children’s.

“If you ever have the opportunity, thank one of the doctors and nurses at this hospital. It goes a long way,” Breen said. “The money that’s donated from all sorts of these grants, the research goes a very long way.”

Last year’s Give-A-Thon helped patients and families across the Valley. See some of the children whose lives have been touched by fundraiser donations in the gallery below:

“Ultimately, more than 15,000 children every year are diagnosed with cancer,” Breen said. “There’s a critical need for research and investments to go toward better care for all these children.”

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