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<p>Three Indiana University School of Medicine faculty members are recipients of a $250,000 Hyundai Hope Grant for pediatric cancer research.</p>

IU School of Medicine faculty receive Hyundai Hope on Wheels research grant

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INDIANAPOLIS — Three Indiana University School of Medicine faculty members are recipients of a $250,000 Hyundai Hope Grant for pediatric cancer research.

The grant will support the work of Mark Kelley, Ph.D., Betty and Earl Herr Professor of Pediatric Oncology Research and associate director of the Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, and colleagues Sandeep Batra, M.D., assistant professor of clinical pediatrics, and Angelo Cardoso, M.D., Ph.D., adjunct assistant professor of pediatrics. Their research seeks a new therapeutic strategy to treat T-cell leukemia, namely for children with relapsed acute lymphocytic leukemia or ALL. 

ALL is the most frequent childhood cancer. Although notable progress has been achieved in caring for children, significant challenges remain with ALL in infants as well as leukemia relapse and refractory disease. Relapsed leukemia is the second leading cause of childhood death.

Hyundai Hope on Wheels and Indianapolis-area Hyundai dealers presented the award to the faculty members at Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health on Thursday, Sept. 26. During the event, Indianapolis-area children battling cancer placed their handprints dipped in colorful paint on white canvases and physicians’ lab coats to commemorate their brave battles with cancer.

In all, Hope on Wheels will award $10.25 million in grants this month. The donation is part of Hope on Wheels’ annual September campaign celebrating National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, as well as an effort by Hyundai to thank its millions of owners who have helped Hope on Wheels raise more than $72 million in pediatric cancer research funding the past 15 years. 

“Hope on Wheels is our fight to end pediatric cancer and is at the soul of our work at Hyundai. With each car we sell, we make a contribution with our dealers to end this disease,” said John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. “We’ve now donated over $72 million dollars and ask everyone to join us this September on Facebook to raise awareness about this cause.”

Hyundai Hope on Wheels

Hyundai Hope on Wheels is a 501(c)(3) 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 life-saving research and innovative treatments for the disease. Primary funding for Hyundai Hope on Wheels comes from Hyundai Motor America and its more than 800 U.S. dealers. At the end of its 15th year, Hyundai Hope on Wheels will have awarded more than $72 million toward childhood cancer research in pursuit of a cure.