Hyundai Hope on Wheels Exceeds National Goal, Committing $4.8 Million for Childhood Cancer Care and Research in Canada
Français- The second year of the Hyundai Hope on Wheels campaign surpassed $4.8 million in donations to 16 hospital foundations across Canada, exceeding its goal by $700,000.
- The second-annual cross-country Hyundai Hope on Wheels tour crosses the finish line after 16 inspiring Handprint Ceremonies in 15 communities, enriching Canadians with heart-pulling personal stories of the battles waged by young cancer patients and their families.
- The $4.8 million donated to hospital foundations is supporting research teams and family support programs across Canada. New in 2026 was a partnership with the C17 Council, a national network of Canada's pediatric hematology, oncology and stem cell transplant programs that help advance life-changing childhood cancer research across the country. The campaign was supported by the STEP-1 program that helps families cover travel and other associated costs to get their kids the care they need.
- Planning is underway for Hyundai Hope on Wheels to hit the road once again in 2027.
MARKHAM, ON, Oct. 26, 2026 /CNW/ -- At the checkered flag, it was a record finish for the 2026 Hyundai Hope on Wheels campaign.
The national charitable initiative of Hyundai Canada to combat childhood cancers and support the families battling the disease completed its second year with a significant $4.8 million in donations to 16 hospital foundations in 15 cities across the country, surpassing its 2026 goal by $700,000.
Each donation was made during an inspiring Handprint Ceremony that had children fighting cancer dip their palms in paint and leave a colourful reminder of their journey on a white Hyundai Palisade SUV.
"Every handprint, every story and every child we have met through Hyundai Hope on Wheels this year has reinforced why this work matters," says Steve Flamand, President and CEO of Hyundai Canada. "In 2026, we were honoured to donate a record amount help to advance efforts to combat childhood cancer care. Looking ahead to 2027, we are more determined than ever to continue driving awareness, funding innovation and standing alongside the families, caregivers and healthcare professionals working toward a world without childhood cancer."
National cross-country tour
The 2026 Hyundai Hope on Wheels initiative kicked off in August with donations for the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation in Edmonton, Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation in Calgary, Jim Pattison Children's Hospital Foundation in Saskatoon and the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba in Winnipeg before circling back west to Vancouver for a special Handprint Ceremony with the B.C. Children's Hospital Foundation that included a special guest appearance by Chicago Blackhawks star and Hyundai Brand Ambassador Connor Bedard.
With the swing through Western Canada complete, the tour passed through Ontario for Handprint Ceremonies with the Children's Health Foundation from the London Health Sciences Centre, the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation and the CHEO Foundation in Ottawa. Up next were visits to Atlantic Canada with donations made to IWK Foundation in Halifax and the Janeway Children's Hospital Foundation in St. John's.
The tour wrapped up in October between Ontario and Quebec with donations and Handprint Ceremonies for Fondation CHUS Sherbrooke, the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation, the McMaster Children's Hospital Foundation / MacKids in Hamilton, Toronto SickKids Foundation, Fondation Charles-Bruneau in Quebec City and Fondation CHU Sainte-Justine in Montréal.
Shattering expectations
Children facing cancer from across the country left a lasting impression on a Hyundai vehicle with a colourful handprint. Each handprint tells a story of courage, resilience and hope, transforming the vehicle into a powerful symbol of the fight against childhood cancer.
"When we launched this year's tour, our goal was to raise $4.1 million for childhood cancer programs across Canada. Today, I'm proud to announce that we've surpassed that goal, reaching $4.8 million thanks to the support of our incredible dealer network," says Mr. Flamand. "Meeting children and families across the country has been both humbling and inspiring. Their stories remind us why this work matters, and why we remain committed to helping fund research, care and support programs that give families hope for the future.
The $4.8 million donated in this year's national campaign is supporting pediatric cancer programs across Canada, supporting the hospitals, researchers and care teams working tirelessly to improve outcomes for children facing cancer and move closer to a future free from the disease. This includes contributing to the purchase of new state-of-the-art equipment, supporting research, funding patient support programs and helping families offset costs associated with getting their children the care they need, such as parking fees, gas mileage and hotel stays.
A true team effort
Launched in 2025, donations over the two campaigns from Hyundai Hope on Wheels are approaching $9 million. Key to the program in 2026 is two partnerships that have buoyed contributions and expanded the scope of areas where Hyundai Hope on Wheels is making a difference.
This year, Hyundai Hope on Wheels launched a new $1-million Research Grant Fund in partnership with Canada's C17 Council to help advance Canadian-led pediatric cancer research and accelerate future breakthroughs. This donation was divided into four research grants across the country for:
- Dr. Jongbok Lee, Canada Research Chair in Cancer Immunology and Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary.
- Dr. Poul Sorensen, theme lead and distinguished scientist at the BC Cancer Research Centre, a professor in the department of pathology at the University of British Columbia and the Johal Chair in Childhood Cancer Research.
- Dr. Sebastien Perreault, a researcher and neuro-oncologist conducting clinical research in hematology-oncology-immunology at CHU Sainte-Justine.
- Dr. Adam Shlien from Toronto SickKids, who specializes in the analysis of paediatric cancer genomes using cutting-edge sequencing tools.
Donations in 2026 were also bolstered by the STEP-1 Program. Created to help children with hard-to-cure cancers and their caregivers cover upfront logistical and travel expenses, like flights, hotels, meals, gas and parking, required to get the treatment they need, STEP-1 supports access to academic early phase clinical trials at SickKids, as well as children's hospitals in British Columbia and Quebec.
Looking ahead to 2027
Dedicated to helping end childhood cancer, Hyundai Hope on Wheels recognizes the brave children and their families who have or are facing a cancer diagnosis, and this work is not done.
With an eye towards next year, the national charitable effort will return with another wave of inspiring stories of courage and resolve, with grants supporting the fight against childhood cancers.
Hyundai Hope on Wheels is supported by Hyundai Canada's national network of 225 dealers. A portion of every new Hyundai vehicle sold in Canada is contributed to the campaign.
About Hyundai Hope on Wheels
Every time a new Hyundai is sold, a portion of that sale will help to fund Hyundai Hope on Wheels. In 2026, Hyundai Hope on Wheels continues to expand its impact across Canada, committing more than $4.1 million toward pediatric cancer, supported by Hyundai Auto Canada and its network of more than 225 Hyundai dealers nationwide. Through its new partnership with Canada's C17 Council, Hyundai Hope on Wheels helps advance pediatric oncology clinical trials and research by providing dedicated funding support.
Hyundai Hope on Wheels is a registered charitable foundation dedicated to helping end childhood cancer. Since launching in Canada in 2025, it has become one of the country's leading supporters of pediatric cancer research, care and survivorship through impactful investments that help advance treatment and improve outcomes for children and their families.
Media Contacts:
- Nitish Bissonauth, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, Hyundai Auto Canada; [email protected]
- Mohga Hassib, Corporate Communications, Hyundai Auto Canada; [email protected]
SOURCE Hyundai Auto Canada Corp.
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