NEW YORK -

Hyundai Motor America continues to chase down pediatric cancer, as the company announced this week the launch of its 15th year of funding research to find a cure.

Through its nonprofit Hyundai Hope On Wheels, the company and its dealers will donate $14 million for pediatric cancer research in 2013 to institutions across the U.S., officials announced Thursday at the New York International Auto Show.

This brings the organization’s total support to more than $72 million since its inception in 1998, and puts Hyundai among the leading funders of pediatric cancer research in the nation.  

The Hope On Wheels program made its first grant of 2013 to Columbia University Medical Center in New York, and now heads across the country to supply further research grants in pursuit of a cure for pediatric cancer.

“Hyundai and its dealers remain committed to helping children in the fight against pediatric cancer,” said Hyundai president and chief executive officer John Krafcik. “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. 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.”

Hyundai Hope On Wheels began as a local initiative in 1998 by Hyundai and a group of New England-area dealers, and is now a national nonprofit.

The program primarily funds research at Children’s Oncology Group member institutions across the U.S.

This year, Hyundai Hope On Wheels will award 81 grants through its Scholar Grant and Hope Grant programs to Children’s Oncology Group member institutions.

Grants are presented with a signature Handprint Ceremony at the selected institutions; the handprints are placed on a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, which travels the country creating awareness for the disease.

For more information, visit www.HyundaiHopeOnWheels.org.