Hyundai Hope on Wheels’ gift-giving continued through October with Hyundai Canada’s charitable organization supporting four children’s hospitals through the month.

Hyundai Hope on Wheels committed to donating $4 million total in its first year (2025) to support Canadian pediatric oncology centres (children’s cancer hospitals).

Through October, the organization’s officials visited four hospitals with big cheques.

HSC Winnipeg Children’s Hospital

On Oct. 28, Hyundai Canada announced a donation of $125,000 to the the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba, the fundraising arm of HSC Winnipeg Children’s Hospital, formerly known as the Children’s Hospital of Winnipeg. This included $100,000 from Hyundai Canada and $25,000 from Hyundai Winnipeg.

The hospital in Winnipeg serves about 140,000 pediatric patients per year, including about 50 children per year who are diagnosed with cancer.

Patients come from Manitoba, northwestern Ontario and Nunavut.

“For kids who spend weeks or months in hospital, these rooms become their world,” said Stefano Grande, president and CEO of the hospital foundation, in a news release. “We’re reimagining what a hospital room can be – a place where children feel comfort, courage, and hope, and where families can stay close every step of the way. The incredible generosity of our donors, like Hyundai Hope on Wheels and Winnipeg Hyundai, is making that vision possible.”

McMaster Children’s Hospital

Also on Oct. 28, Hyundai Canada announced a $100,000 donation to Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation/MacKids, the fundraising arm of McMaster Children’s Hospital in Hamilton, Ont.

The hospital sees about 65 pediatric cancer patients per year and manages more than 8,000 pediatric oncology-related outpatient visits per year.

“This gift from Hyundai Hope on Wheels is a powerful affirmation of what community can do together,” said Anissa Hilborn, CEO of of the hospital foundation, in a news release. “As the regional centre for pediatric cancer care, McMaster Children’s Hospital’s need to provide comprehensive care – from diagnosis through survivorship – is constant. Hyundai’s support will directly enhance programs that manage the late effects of childhood cancer, ensuring patients and their families have access to the best care, right here in our region.”

Montreal Children’s Hospital

On Oct. 16, the company announced a $100,000 donation to the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation, which raises funds for the Montreal Children’s Hospital.

The hospital is a provincial pediatric cancer care hub. The centre diagnoses about 100 new childhood cancer cases per year and its day treatment centre sees around 6,500 visits per year.

The hospital said about 40 per cent of patients come from beyond the Montreal area, underscoring the hospital’s importance to the province of Quebec as a centre that delivers specialized oncology services and advances cutting-edge research.

“When the best treatment option for a child or adolescent facing cancer is a clinical trial, Hyundai Hope on Wheels’ $100,000 gift takes on its full meaning. It will allow the Children’s Hematology-Oncology Clinical Research Unit to open new clinical trials for children with difficult-to-treat cancers and blood disorders,” said Renée Vézina, president of the hospital foundation, in a news release. “Thank you for helping us offer innovative treatments to Quebec’s most vulnerable patients.”

Kingston Health Sciences Centre

On Oct. 3, Hyundai Canada announced a $150,000 donation to the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation in support of pediatric oncology services at Kingston Health Sciences Centre. The donation includes $100,000 from Hyundai Canada and $50,000 from Belleville Hyundai, Kingston Hyundai, Smiths Falls Hyundai and Brockville Hyundai.

The Kingston, Ont. hospital is one of four sites within the Southeast Regional Cancer Program. The program serves about 650,000 residents in southeastern Ontario and its pediatric oncology program sees 15 to 20 new and relapsed cancer diagnoses per year, as well as serving patients with ongoing active treatments.

Besides offering advanced treatment care, systemic therapies and clinical trials, the centre also helps families navigate treatment, access financial aid, and manage the logistical and emotional challenges of pediatric cancer with support services such as social workers, community liaison nurses and POGO Interlink Nurses.

“I want to thank Hyundai Canada and our local Hyundai dealerships for this generous $150,000 investment. This extraordinary support will help provide children and their families with the most advanced care, comfort, and hope during some of the most difficult moments of their lives,” said Tamás (Tom) Zsolnay, president and CEO of the hospital foundation, in a news release. “We are profoundly grateful for Hyundai’s commitment to strengthening health care in our community and making a lasting difference for our youngest patients.”

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