(SACRAMENTO)

Painted “high five” handprints in a variety of colors were placed on a brand-new white Hyundai Tucson that rolled up to UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center on Aug. 22. The theme of this year’s Hyundai Hope On Wheels event was “Hope Lights the Way” as it delivered a $100,000 check to help fight childhood cancer.

Cancer patient Kyla Beeler standing next to the cancer center’s Marcio Malogolowkin as she gets ready to place a painted blue “high five” on the Hyundai SUV.

On hand to slap a “high five” on the SUV was 13-year-old Kyla Beeler who is currently undergoing cancer treatment at the cancer center. Smiling brightly with her colorful palm, she left her mark on the Hyundai, sharing her gratitude.

“I am so thankful to Hyundai and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center,” Kyla said. “Thanks to them, I’m now getting ready to start high school and join the local swim team.”

Beeler’s mother, Jennifer, said her daughter’s routine blood tests showed something suspicious about a year ago. The shocking news came when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common type of childhood cancer. Kyla has been receiving chemotherapy for a year and the side effects leave her feeling less than 100%.

Part of the $100,000 donation from Hyundai will go toward evaluating the allergic reactions and other side-effects associated the therapy she is taking and providing new treatment guidelines.

The care for this type of pediatric cancer has improved markedly over the last half-century, but the drug to treat the disease can cause nausea, vomiting, blood clotting issues, fatigue and dizziness.

Even Huggie the pediatric facility dog got into the action with a painted pawprint placed on the Hyundai SUV..

“This is an example of the community stepping up to help us advance treatments for children with cancer and make those treatments easier on our young patients and their families. The partnership with Hyundai has been tremendous,” said Marcio Malogolowkin, chief of the Division of Pediatric Oncology-Hematology at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center. “It really takes a village to fight pediatric cancer.”

Along with the ALL research, the Hyundai Hope on Wheels contribution will help launch a psychosocial assessment program for parents and other caregivers of pediatric cancer patients. The pilot study will help guide timely interventions that address the emotional, social and practical concerns often tied to the distress of caring for a sick child.

Over the past decade, Hyundai Hope on Wheels has given half a million dollars to pediatric cancer research at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Rajesh Gupta, Hyundai western regional sales manager (left), and Chris Shaffer, president, Roseville Hyundai (right) present check for $100,000 to the cancer center’s Marcio Malogolowkin (center).

Primary funding for Hyundai Hope On Wheels comes from Hyundai Motor America and its more than 830 U.S. dealers. In 2024, Hyundai Hope On Wheels will surpass a lifetime total donation of $250 million in support of more than 1,300 childhood cancer research grants to over 175 hospitals and research institutions.

“Thank you so much for what you do. We could give as much money as possible, but without the work of your doctors and staff, the progress being made to fight childhood cancer would not happen,” said Rajesh Gupta, Hyundai western regional sales manager.

Chris Shaffer, president of Roseville Hyundai, added, “Children are our future. This is our chance to make the world a better place.”

About Hyundai Hope on Wheels

Hyundai Hope On Wheels is a nonprofit organization that is committed to finding a cure for childhood cancer. Launched in 1998, Hyundai Hope On Wheels provides grants to eligible institutions nationwide that are pursuing critical research aimed at improving treatments and saving lives. Hyundai Hope On Wheels is one of the largest nonprofit funders of pediatric cancer research in the country.

UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center

UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute-designated center serving the Central Valley and inland Northern California, a region of more than 6 million people. Its specialists provide compassionate, comprehensive care for more than 100,000 adults and children every year and access to more than 200 active clinical trials at any given time. Its innovative research program engages more than 240 scientists at UC Davis who work collaboratively to advance discovery of new tools to diagnose and treat cancer. Patients have access to leading-edge care, including immunotherapy and other targeted treatments. Its Office of Community Outreach and Engagement addresses disparities in cancer outcomes across diverse populations, and the cancer center provides comprehensive education and workforce development programs for the next generation of clinicians and scientists. For more information, visit cancer.ucdavis.edu.