National nonprofit hits $1 million in lifetime giving to Roswell Park
Hyundai Hope On Wheels® (HHOW), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supported by Hyundai Motor America and its U.S. dealers, awarded a $100,000 Hyundai Impact Award Grant to Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center to continue its long-standing commitment to advancing pediatric cancer. The Hyundai Impact Award was presented to David Byrwa, MD, at Roswell Park on Thursday to support research into CAR T-cell therapy for children with relapsed or treatment-resistant acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Dr. Brywa works in the Department of Pediatric Oncology at Roswell Park.
14-year-old Kienen Duggan, a pediatric patient at Roswell Park, shared her cancer story. Kienen was diagnosed with AML last August. She underwent chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant – with her sister being the donor.
“Through it all, I knew I could rely on my doctors here at Roswell Park. One of them was Dr. Dave [Brywa]. He has been there since the beginning,” said Kienen. “I always had faith and trust in my doctors at Roswell Park. For every up and down, my doctors were always there rooting for me and cheering me on every step of the way.”
Keinen has been declared cancer free and rang the Victory Bell at Roswell Park on April 24.
A partnership with pediatric patients at the core
This grant through Hyundai Hope on Wheels supports the development of a promising new CAR T-cell therapy for children with limited treatment options.
“Our goal is to bring promising discoveries from the laboratory to the children who need them most. This grant allows us to take an important step toward evaluating a new CAR T-cell therapy that has the potential to improve outcomes for pediatric AML patients,” said Dr. Byrwa. “Support like this from Hyundai Hope on Wheels makes it possible to move innovative ideas into clinical trials. We’re hopeful this research will lead to safer, more effective treatments for children facing relapsed or treatment-resistant AML.”
With this latest grant, Hyundai Hope on Wheels has reached $1 million in lifetime giving to Roswell Park.
“This milestone is a powerful reminder that meaningful progress in pediatric cancer research is built in part through sustained partnerships,” said Dr. Kara Kelly, chair of the Department of Pediatric Oncology at Roswell Park. “Hyundai Hope on Wheels’ continued investment enables us to ask bigger questions, pursue innovative therapies and, ultimately, give more children the opportunity to live longer, healthier lives.”
Driving progress through Hyundai Hope on Wheels
Since 1998, Hyundai Hope on Wheels has worked tirelessly to support the families, researchers, doctors, and children affected by childhood cancer. To date, Hyundai Hope on Wheels has awarded grants totaling more than $303 million, thanks to Hyundai Motor America and its nationwide dealers. Through these partnerships, Hyundai Hope on Wheels continues to advance research and bring hope to families affected by childhood cancer.
“Advancing pediatric cancer research requires bold science and sustained commitment,” said John Guastaferro, executive director, Hyundai Hope on Wheels. “We are deeply grateful to Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and its doctors and researchers whose dedication drives progress to the children and families who need it most.”
"As we begin this next chapter, I am excited to welcome Shawn Kleitz to our team. Shawn's experience, passion for philanthropy and commitment to advancing cancer research make him the ideal person to build upon Cindy's remarkable legacy and lead the Alliance Foundation into the future."