Recognizing Hyundai Hope on Wheels Contributions to Fighting Pediatric Cancer

Floor Speech

Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Hyundai Hope On Wheels, a leading contributor to pediatric cancer research nationwide, on celebrating its 16th year in the fight against childhood cancer.

Hope On Wheels has one wish--and it is a wish I share: to end childhood cancer.

Among the largest private funders of cancer research in the United States, Hyundai Hope On Wheels is at the forefront with its singular and steadfast mission of eradicating childhood cancer.

Each year, approximately 15,000 parents will hear the words, ``Your child has cancer.'' Even today, based on average statistics, more than 40 children are expected to be diagnosed with cancer and their average age will be just 6 years old. Children diagnosed with cancer come from all across our country and from all walks of life. Pediatric cancer affects all ethnic, gender, and socio-economic groups. This disease does not discriminate in its victims--any child could be a victim.

Even with all the advances in modern medicine, 12 percent of children diagnosed with cancer will not survive.

To be sure, research and treatment has improved the ``rate of survival'' for children. The overall survival rate for cancer survivors has improved over the years with an overall survival rate of 10 percent just 40 years ago to nearly 90 percent today. That is a drastic improvement. However, despite major advances, the number of diagnosed cases annually has not declined in nearly two decade years. For many with rare cancers, survival rates remain low. At the end of the day, even with the amazing process we have made, childhood cancer still is responsible for killing more children and teenagers every year more than any other disease.

That is why the work Hyundai Hope On Wheels does is critical. Through the innovative medical research leveraged and supported by Hope On Wheels, America is making strides toward ending pediatric cancer.

Hope On Wheels supports hundreds of research grants including the Hyundai Scholar Grant and the Hyundai Hope Grant. The first grant is a $75,000 grant for research or programmatic projects available to young nominated investigators. The later grant is a $250,000 competitive grant open to all researchers pursuing innovative research with the greatest overall potential to impact the lives of children battling cancer.

Just this month, the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh received the 2014 Hyundai Scholar's Hope Grant, which is a two-year research award in the amount of $250,000. This award will allow doctors to continue to work on life-saving cancer therapies and to treat children from the Third District of Pennsylvania and beyond. By the end of 2014, Hyundai Hope On Wheels will have awarded more than $86 million towards childhood cancer research in pursuit of a cure.

Mr. Speaker, by working to improve the survival rate of our nation's children diagnosed with cancer, I ask that my colleague join with me today in recognizing the good work of Hyundai Hope On Wheels. Committed to the fight against pediatric cancer, Hope On Wheels is providing the next generation of America's children with the hope of a healthy future.

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