Hyundai Hope on Wheels is continuing its cross-country journey to support pediatric oncology programs across Canada.

The charitable organization of Hyundai Auto Canada announced more than $1 million combined in funding to a pair of institutions.

One is a funding commitment of $750,000 to the STEP-1 program plus a $350,000 donation to support the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto.

Both donations were announced Oct. 19 during a handprint ceremony at SickKids.

Details of STEP-1 Program support

STEP-1 is a pilot program that helps children and youth with hard-to-cure cancers from anywhere in Canada access academic early phase clinical trials at SickKids, Vancouver’s BC Children’s Hospital and Montreal’s CHU Sainte-Justine.

Academic trials don’t typically cover travel-related costs for patients and families. STEP-1 covers eligible costs such as for flights, hotels, gas, or meals for the patient and one caregiver for all study-related visits.

“Last year we learned that one of the greatest challenges families face is access to treatment. This year, we’re doing something about it,” said Steve Flamand, president and CEO of Hyundai Auto Canada, in a news release. “Our commitment this year will help families across Canada get better access to potentially life-saving clinical trials by reducing travel-related costs. We believe every child deserves access to the best possible care, regardless of where they live.”

Details of SickKids donation

The support to Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children includes $250,000 toward pediatric cancer research through the C17 Council and $100,000 to support programs that improves the lives of children and families. C17 Council is a national network of pediatric hematology, oncology, and stem cell transplant programs across Canada.

The organization said the C17 grant will support the research of SickKids’ Dr. Adam Shlien, who specializes in the analysis of pediatric cancer genomes using cutting-edge sequencing tools, with the aim of disclosing genomic mutations that drive the cancer development and understand how they alter the somatic transcriptome.

MacKids also received support

About a week earlier, Hyundai Canada announced its support for McMaster Children’s Hospital (MacKids) in Hamilton.

Hyundai donated $100,000 to the hospital.

This money will help advance care and support for pediatric cancer patients, the auto company said.

Hyundai Hope on Wheels has pledged to donate more than $4.1 million in 2026 toward pediatric cancer care, research and family support programs across Canada. It’s planning to make two more donations stops this week.

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