Hyundai Hope On Wheels Hope Grant Donates $100,000 To Joe Dimaggio Children’s Hospital Foundat

Sept. 3, 2010 - PRLog -- Hyundai Motor America and its dealers announced today that Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation has been selected to receive a $100,000 Hyundai Hope on Wheels™ Hope Grant.  

The Hyundai Hope on Wheels Hope Grant will be awarded at the Love Jen Family Support Center at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, Florida on Thursday, September 9 at 10:00 a.m. during a ceremonial check presentation.  

“Better understanding of childhood cancer has resulted in aggressive treatment with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation. This has increased survival rates in all childhood cancers, but has come at a price with long term complications. One of the major complications reported is neuro-cognitive disorders which have resulted in issues related to memory, attention and poor academic performance, affecting the quality of life of cancer survivors,” said Dr. Iftikhar Hanif, Medical Director, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. “The grant from Hyundai Hope on Wheels will be a great asset and resource for these cancer survivors as it provides us the ability to perform neuropsychological testing at different stages during treatment for their cancers. Early intervention to prevent long term neuro-cognitive disorders may result in a better quality of life for children who are cancer survivors.”

The funds will provide neuropsychological evaluations and treatment options for 58 pediatric oncology patients, ages three months to 21 years, who are currently being treated at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. According to the Florida Department of Health, Broward County has the second highest rate of pediatric cancer mortality in the state.

Recent studies indicate that children diagnosed with specific cancers that receive radiation and chemotherapy are at a higher risk for cognitive late effects and developmental delays. The Children’s Oncology Group (COG) reports that 50-60% of childhood cancer survivors are at risk of neurocognitive impairment in the areas of attention and concentration, processing speed, visual perceptual skills, executive function, and memory.  

“The brave young children at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital inspire us every day,” said South Florida Hyundai dealers Rita and Rick Case.  “Early detection with neuropsychological testing is vital and we are delighted that the Hyundai Hope on Wheels Hope Grant will make a positive and direct impact in their lives.”

JOE DIMAGGIO CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
The Foundation (www.jdchf.org) raises money to help underwrite the cost of programs and equipment at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, the leading children’s hospital in Broward and Palm Beach counties.  Established in 1994, the Foundation provides philanthropic-based support that supplements the income from payers and tax revenues received by the Memorial Healthcare System.  The Foundation serves as the central agency through which charitable contributions are made.

HYUNDAI HOPE ON WHEELS
Hyundai Hope on Wheels is the united effort of more than 800 Hyundai dealers across the U.S. to raise awareness about childhood cancer and celebrate the lives of children battling the disease.  By the end of 2010, Hope on Wheels will have awarded more than $23 million dollars to children’s hospitals and non-profit organizations across the U.S. to support the fight against childhood cancer.

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