Pediatric cancer patients make handprints impressions for Hyundai Hope on Wheels.[/caption]

A hefty donation from a car dealership will fund a new position at Dell Children’s Medical Center.

Hyundai Hope on Wheels, a nonprofit launched by Hyundai Motor America in 1998, presented the Children’s Blood and Cancer Center at Dell Children’s Medical Center with a $50,000 check June 24. Lori Boucher, Children’s Blood and Cancer Center program director, said Hyundai has donated $975,000 to the center since 2008.

“Hyundai has been probably our biggest supporter,” she said.

Dr. Amy Fowler, director of medical research at the center, said the funds would be used to create an Oncology Nurse Navigator position. The navigator will help educate nursing staff and patients’ families about new pediatric cancer medications, which are often difficult to administer and include side effects, she said.

Fowler thanked Hyundai representatives and local dealers who attended the event.

“You guys have made a giant impact on the care for children with pediatric cancer in the last several years,” she said.

Shannon Smith said her daughter, Bridget, has been a patient at Dell Children’s since August, when she was diagnosed with leukemia. Smith said she has been overwhelmed with the expertise and kindness of the medical team at the center. Bridget completed her active treatment, and she is now in the maintenance phase of treatment, Smith said.

“It’s just really great to be here with all these amazing people,” Bridget said.

Bridget and other pediatric cancer patients at the center painted their palms and left colorful handprints on canvases at the center. Mark McClung of Hyundai said Hope on Wheels makes a sticker out of each handprint and adds it to the white Santa Fe Sport that serves as the official vehicle of the nonprofit’s efforts to end pediatric cancer.

McClung said Hope on Wheels is donating $15 million total to pediatric cancer research this year and surpassed $100 million in donations since its inception.