The CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation receives $1 million in support of pediatric oncology research and a better future for children living with cancer. Announced on March 12, the major donation comes from the 226 Hyundai dealers across Canada, which have joined forces through the Hope on Wheels program to change the face of cancer.
Great news for families across Quebec
This substantial gift will undoubtedly lead to new, cutting-edge care at CHU Sainte-Justine’s Centre de cancérologie Charles-Bruneau, a supraregional oncology centre that diagnoses and treats more than 65% of cases of childhood tumours in Quebec.
“I’m delighted by Hyundai Canada’s incredible act of generosity toward Sainte-Justine. In these tumultuous times, I’m convinced that philanthropy plays a more crucial role in our society than ever before. Allies like Hyundai Canada are powerful catalysts for change that make it possible to go above and beyond.”
United for children’s health
At the event to announce Hyundai Canada’s donation, children in remission from cancer were invited to leave their handprints on the Hope on Wheels vehicle. The car is currently touring the various pediatric oncology centres that have benefited from Hyundai Canada’s generosity: the company has pledged to donate $4 million across the country this year in support of the cause.
Samuel Bond was one of the children present, along with his family and Dr. Nicolas Prud’homme, who helped him along the path to recovery during his time at Sainte-Justine. The 12-year-old spoke about his patient journey, which included being looked after by a dedicated team he’ll never forget and undergoing an innovative surgery to remove an aggressive osteosarcoma from his tibia.
On the cusp of scientific breakthroughs
Dr. Jacques Michaud, director of the Centre de recherche Azrieli du CHU Sainte-Justine, also praised Hyundai Canada’s commitment and noted just how many new therapeutic avenues are currently being explored as new technologies like genomics breathe new life into research.
He explained that entire cancer genomes can now be analyzed for the same price as a standard laboratory test. These analyses can determine potential targets for precision treatments in just a matter of days.
Advances like these give researchers hope that, in the coming years, they’ll be able to identify ways of successfully treating more pediatric cancers while causing fewer side effects.
Happening at a particularly promising time for scientific discoveries, the support of the Hope on Wheels program will allow researchers to pursue this area of study for the benefit of children across the province.
Once more, the entire team at the CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation would like to express its gratitude to Hyundai Canada, whose actions demonstrate its commitment to growing beyond the status quo for the future of Quebec children.
