Better Drives Us

Hyundai Hope on Wheels isn’t just giving money to help pediatric cancer, it’s a true hands-on organization that reminds us all, no matter our titles or roles, that Better Drives Us.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to Hyundai Hope on Wheels® for inviting me to share this special experience and sharing their story with this sponsored post.

Better Drives Us - Hyundai Hope on Wheels

PC: Jaren Collins, JCI Creatives

A lot of big companies say they do a lot of good things. They fund big fundraising events, they wear shirts in support, and all those big impressionable things in the name corporate social responsibility. I know, I’ve worked with many of them to help organize them and sat at big fancy dinners gala to support the cause and it’s needed. But when you see the big guys sit side by side the little guys they are working to help, you realize that your purchases, small or big, DO make a big impact.

PC: Jaren Collins, CI Creatives

Last week I had the opportunity to attend the Hyundai Hope on Wheels Celebration of Life Dinner in Dallas. While there was a check presentation planned, there was so much more to this non-profit. In fact Hope on Wheels is one of the largest non-profit funders of pediatric cancer research in the country and has awarded more than $130 million towards childhood cancer since its inception in 1998.

PC: Jaren Collins, CI Creatives

That’s a pretty big commitment and it goes way beyond corporate social responsibility.

But what touched me the most were the other invitees in the room.

It was the dealers of North Texas (835 dealers actually contribute to the cause nationally)
It was the doctors and researchers that are doing the work for pediatric cancer at the many hospitals in and around Texas
It was the families and the KIDS that had pediatric cancer and their families that had been directly impacted by Hyundai Hope on Wheels.

The room was filled with the a full circle of how a simple purchase of a Hyundai can help research to find a cure for pediatric cancer.

It was amazing to see them together and interacting, seeing how working together makes a positive change. And how their motto “Better Drives Us” really comes to life.

PC: Jaren Collins, CI Creatives

One of the most moving moments of the night was listening to a mom describe the moment she heard her son’s diagnosis for a rare pediatric cancer. Hearing her personal, real story with all the emotions that took her over in front of all of us really put it into perspective. It put everything into perspective – and that it can happen to you. Any mom, any family, any child. In fact every 36 minutes a child is diagnosed with pediatric cancer. And unfortunately, you probably already have.

PC: Jaren Collins, CI Creatives

In fact every 36 minutes a child is diagnosed with pediatric cancer.

But the night was not over. There was still a special concert by The Voice’s Luke Wade who has been ambassador for Hope on Wheels across the country. He sang from the heart and brought the kids together for a moment on the stage. He also sat with the Hope on Wheels kids and their families.

PC: Jaren Collins, CI Creatives

A check presentation to a few incredibly deserving teams:

Hyundai Scholar Hope Grant ($250,000)

– Dr. Christopher Porter, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

– Dr. Julie Wolfson, University of Alabama – Birmingham

Hyundai Young Investigator Grant ($150,000)

– Dr. Kathryn Dickerson, UT Southwestern Children’s Medical Center Foundation

– Dr. Wendy Allen-Rhoades, Texas Children’s Hospital

PC: Jaren Collins, CI Creatives

But at the end of the night was the honestly the best part that made the biggest difference to me, the Handprint Ceremony.

The children and the doctors all placed their handprints on posters and on the doctors’ coats. It was truly moving to see all the smile of everyone making their own individual handprint. And each handprint’s story is distinctive in its own way. Whether it’s completing a round of chemo, celebrating a beautiful new head of hair or receiving a clean bill of health, one child’s milestone can be another’s symbol of hope. And these handprints serve as their symbol. These handprints will also be displayed on Hyundai cars around the country to share their mission and their hope.

PC: Jaren Collins, CI Creatives

How can you get involved and learn more about this great organization? Visit their uplifting website. Or connect with them on Facebook and Twitter to see more up to do work they’ve done and helped to make a change for pediatric cancer.