SAN FRANCISCO -

It was announced this week that through the organization’s Hope Grants, Hyundai Hope On Wheels — Hyundai Motor America and its dealers’ nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness about childhood cancer —  will be donating $7.1 million to fund 71 pediatric cancer research projects and programs at Children’s Oncology Group institutions throughout the country.

"Hyundai Hope on Wheels’ ongoing funding offers a beacon of hope to children and families battling cancer," said Dr. David Poplack, chief of pediatric oncology at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers.

"Despite the lack of funding currently available for pediatric cancer research, great strides have been made in the treatment and care of kids with the disease, bringing us today to an 80 percent cure rate. While this is good news, hospitals and research facilities still need major funding to continue important research to bring us to a 100 percent cure rate,” he stressed.

The first donation — in the form of a $100,000 Hope Grant — was received Thursday by UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital.

All month long, the remaining $7 million in Hope Grants will be awarded as Hyundai Hope on Wheels travels the country, while the organization also conducts what it is calling the “Hyundai Drive 4 Hope.”

Further explaining the concept behind the Hyundai Drive 4 Hope, Hope on Wheels will drive from San Francisco’s launch event to New York City in a Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle.

Along the way,  officials also noted that the Tucson will be making stops for more than 15 Handprint Ceremonies, where children currently battling cancer, and those who have survived their disease, get to place colorful handprints on the vehicle, "each representing a personal story about their battle with this deadly disease."

“By the end of September, the Tucson will have traveled more than 4,500 miles across the country and collected hundreds of handprints from children,” the organization noted.

Additionally, the nonprofit is also holding the first-ever Hope on Wheels 5K Run & Walk. This fundraising event is scheduled for Labor Day in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., and all proceeds will go to childhood cancer research and projects.

Moving on to highlight the organization’s fundraising efforts, earlier this year, Hyundai Hope on Wheels opened up a call for proposals for its 2011 Hope Grant program.

According to the organization, the call was made “with the goal to support the best, brightest and most promising researchers, whose work is likely to have a significant impact on understanding the biology and/or developing diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in the field of pediatric cancer."

The winning 71 proposals include research projects and programs ranging from evaluating new research in genomic medicine to important survivorship and family support programs.

"Until we find a cure, Hyundai and its dealers will not rest," said Oscar Leeser, chairman of the Hyundai Hope on Wheels.  "Since we began this program, we are proud to say we have dramatically increased donations each year. We will continue to support research projects and programs that have significant potential to improve the survivorship and care of kids battling cancer.

John Krafcik, president and chief executive officer of Hyundai Motor America chimed in, noting, "2011 is a record-breaking year for pediatric cancer fund-raising at Hyundai.

"From funding critical cancer research that propels us closer to a cure, to providing vehicle technology that drives our industry-leading fuel efficiency, we love to respond to important challenges at Hyundai with our own big bold solutions,” he continued.

Lastly, highlighting the history of the program, since 1998, officials noted that Hyundai Hope on Wheels and its more than 800 participating dealers have collected over thousands of children’s handprints and committed more than $43 million to childhood cancer research and projects.

For more information on this year’s Hope Grant recipients, Hyundai Hope on Wheels and how to get involved, visit: http://www.hyundaihopeonwheels.org/ and http://HyundaiDrive4Hope.com/.