Hyundai Canada gave Hamilton Health Sciences a $100,000 cheque on Tuesday at McMaster Children’s Hospital as part of the manufacturer’s commitment to funding research and support grants for pediatric oncology centres throughout the country.
Hope on Wheels Chair Rein Knol presented the cheque, along with Hyundai Director and General Counsel David Badurina and some Hamilton-area Hyundai dealers, to members of the hospital’s staff. The Hope on Wheels program began in February with a goal of reaching $4 million through Hyundai Canada and its 226 dealers. A portion of every new car sold is donated to Hope on Wheels, while some dealers are actively involved in separate fundraisers to contribute to the non-profit foundation.
“Together, we strive to give every child the opportunity to live a healthy, cancer-free life,” said Knol. “I know I speak on behalf of my fellow local Hyundai dealers when I express how proud we are to be a part of this journey and to stand with Hyundai Canada and the patients, families, doctors and researchers in this fight. We know that by working together, we can achieve our goal of reaching a day without pediatric cancer.”
Badurina said it has been a transformative year for Hyundai Canada, one that reflects the company’s deep Canadian roots and commitment to progress for humanity. He said Hope on Wheels is a project that is “literally life-changing and lifesaving… Our mission is to help children grow, play, learn and achieve their dreams in a world free of cancer.”
He noted each year approximately 1,000 children are diagnosed with cancer, and tragically one in six will not survive. He added the ones who do face “gruelling treatments at a time when they should be focused on simply being children. Hyundai Hope on Wheels is our way of standing with them.”
Dr. Vicky Breakey, a pediatric hematologist and oncologist at MCH, thanked Hyundai for its extraordinary generosity. She said the support will be critical for allowing outpatient access to clinics closer to home.
MCH President Bruce Squires said more than 2,500 physicians, staff and volunteers deliver care to 2.5 million citizens across South Central Ontario, which equates to more than 500,000 children and families.
“As the leading pediatric institution in this region, we’re really proud to be able to deliver the full spectrum of care children need and require to live their vast lives,” said Squires.
As part of the Hope on Wheels cheque presentations, there is a Handprint Ceremony in which children undergoing cancer treatment place one of their hands in paint and then make an impression on a Hyundai Hope vehicle. The handprints symbolize the uniqueness of each child and represent their hope, resilience and the dreams Hyundai is working to protect.
Joining the patients was 13-year-old Aaliyah Neganiwina, a Grade 8 student who is a cancer survivor. She was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age 10 and underwent treatment at McMaster. She is the Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation’s 2025 Children’s Miracle Network Canada Ambassador.
“They basically said my type of cancer had a high success rate and they promised to do everything they could to help me,” said Aaliyah. “My medical team was incredible. My treatments lasted two and a half years and were very difficult both physically and emotionally. My family calls me a warrior and I agree.
“I am thankful to supporters like Hyundai Hope on Wheels for helping me raise money to support Children’s Hospital and Health Canada for kids like me. Your support also helps fund cancer research that saves children’s lives every day.”
