• This latest donation is part of Hyundai Hope on Wheels' growing commitment to children and families across Canada, bringing total support in 2026 to well more than $4.1 million. Through investments benefiting all 16 pediatric hospitals across the country, Hyundai Hope on Wheels continues to advance life-changing cancer research, enhance patient care and provide critical support programs for families from coast to coast.
• Today's landmark investment includes $750,000 for the STEP-1 Program, designed to improve access to life-saving treatments, as well as a $350,000 donation to SickKids, including $250,000 to advance pediatric cancer research through the C17 Council and an additional $100,000 to support programs that improve the lives of children and families.
• The stop for Toronto SickKids Foundation kicks off the final week of the Hyundai Hope on Wheels 2026 campaign, which wraps in Quebec later this week.

TORONTO, Oct. 19, 2026 /CNW/ -- Hyundai Hope on Wheels is making its largest-ever commitment in Canada, announcing $1.1 million in funding to help improve outcomes for children battling cancer through research, enhanced access to clinical trials and family support programs.

Representing more than a quarter of the $4.1 million Hyundai Hope on Wheels commitment for 2026, the funding includes $750,000 for the STEP-1 Program, designed to improve access to life-saving treatments, as well as a $350,000 donation to Toronto SickKids, including $250,000 to advance pediatric cancer research through the C17 Council and an additional $100,000 to support programs that improve the lives of children and families.

The donations were made official at the Handprint Ceremony that has come to define the Hyundai Hope on Wheels cross-Canada tour, giving children who have faced cancer an opportunity to leave a colourful mark on a Hyundai vehicle, including Toronto SickKids Patient Ambassador 11-year-old Dominique. Together, the handprints transform the vehicle into a moving symbol of hope, resilience and the shared effort to create a future free from childhood cancer.

 "Last year we learned that one of the greatest challenges families face is access to treatment. This year, we're doing something about it," says Steve Flamand, President and CEO of Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. "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."

The story that inspires us

A bright, curious and resilient girl, Dominique was just nine years old when she started experiencing unexplained pain, nosebleeds, swollen lymph nodes, fevers and weight loss. As worry grew, she was taken to SickKids in October 2024 and immediately admitted with a diagnosis of precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Dominique's treatment journey has been intensive and complex. She has faced aggressive chemotherapy and several complications, including severe allergic reactions and Type 1 Diabetes. She has also overcome a fear of needles, learned to swallow pills and endured extended hospital stays, including two months with a continuous blinatumomab infusion.

Through it all, Dominique has embraced what she proudly calls her "Courage Era," inspired by her love of Taylor Swift. An enthusiastic student, Dominique loves science, physics, engineering and astronomy, as well as musical theatre, piano, singing, gymnastics and circus arts.

Her mother, Linda, credits the SickKids team with combining expertise and compassion throughout Dominique's care, helping the family navigate an incredibly difficult journey while ensuring that, through it all, Dominique can still be a child.

"SickKids is beyond amazing," says Linda. "From the minute our child was diagnosed, the team at SickKids wrapped us in a bubble of compassion and expertise that lifted us up and has carried us through this medical crisis. It's nothing one could ever anticipate or dream of, but it's clear that an immense amount of thought, care and attention has been paid on how to carry us through, the worst time of our lives, in the best manner possible."

Pushing groundbreaking research forward

The grant from the C-17 Council will support the research of Toronto SickKids' Dr. Adam Shlien, who specializes in the analysis of paediatric 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. With a strong interest in sarcoma, Dr. Shlien's lab is introducing next-generation genomics technologies, including genome sequencing into oncological practice.

The C-17 Council is a national network of Canada's pediatric hematology, oncology and stem cell transplant programs, helping advance life-changing childhood cancer research across the country.

STEP-ping towards better care

Families can face a lot of incidental costs while helping their child through a battle against cancer. The STEP-1 initiative, supported by ACCESS, Garron Family Cancer Centre and Hyundai Hope on Wheels, was designed to help alleviate that concern. It was created to help children with hard-to-cure cancers and their caregivers cover upfront logistical and travel expenses, like flights, hotels, meals, gas and parking, required to get the treatment they need.

It supports access to academic early phase clinical trials at SickKids, as well as children's hospitals in British Columbia and Quebec, covering eligible costs for the patient and one caregiver for all study-related visits to the hospital.

Supporting academic trials

Funds from Hyundai Hope on Wheels will provide support to the Garron Family Cancer Centre Academic Clinical Trials Infrastructure & Support Grant Program, a pilot initiative designed to enable SickKids to participate in leading international academic pediatric cancer clinical trials.

The program focuses on expanding access to innovative therapies and treatment approaches for children with cancer, particularly in areas such as precision medicine, immunotherapy, cellular therapies and rare childhood cancers.

This initiative will help provide children with cancer access to promising new therapies and clinical trials that would otherwise not be available locally. By removing funding barriers to participation in international academic studies, the program aims to increase treatment options, improve access to cutting-edge care and provide hope for patients and families facing difficult or rare cancer diagnoses.

Colourful reminder of perseverance and resilience

Hyundai Hope on Wheels is supported by the 225 Hyundai dealers in Canada contributing a portion of the sale of every new Hyundai vehicle sold off their lots. A registered charitable foundation, Hyundai Hope on Wheels is dedicated to helping end childhood cancer. The Handprint Ceremonies give children who have faced cancer an opportunity to leave a colourful mark on a Hyundai vehicle. Together, the handprints transform the vehicle into a moving symbol of hope, resilience and the shared effort to create a future free from childhood cancer

This year, the second year of the campaign's cross-Canada tour, the initiative has committed $4.1 million to pediatric cancer. Through a partnership with the C17 council, Hyundai Hope on Wheels is also providing dedicated funding to help advance pediatric oncology clinical trials and research.

The final lap

The 2026 Hyundai Hope on Wheels national tour will close out its final leg this week in Quebec with Handprint Ceremonies in Quebec City on October 22^nd and Montreal on October 23^rd.

About Hyundai Hope on Wheels

Every time a new Hyundai is sold, a portion of that sale will help to fund Hyundai Hope on Wheels. In 2026, Hyundai Hope on Wheels continues to expand its impact across Canada, committing more than $4.1 million toward pediatric cancer, supported by Hyundai Auto Canada and its network of more than 225 Hyundai dealers nationwide. Through its new partnership with Canada's C17 Council, Hyundai Hope on Wheels helps advance pediatric oncology clinical trials and research by providing dedicated funding support.

Hyundai Hope on Wheels is a registered charitable foundation dedicated to helping end childhood cancer. Since launching in Canada in 2025, it has become one of the country's leading supporters of pediatric cancer research, care and survivorship through impactful investments that help advance treatment and improve outcomes for children and their families.

Media Contacts:

• Nitish Bissonauth, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, Hyundai Auto Canada; nbissonauth@hyundaicanada.com 
• Mohga Hassib, Corporate Communications, Hyundai Auto Canada; mhassib@hyundaicanada.com

SOURCE Hyundai Auto Canada Corp.