Hyundai Hope on Wheels donates $100,000 to Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation / MacKids to support paediatric cancer programs

• The paediatric oncology program at McMaster Children’s Hospital sees approximately 65 new patients each year and has extensive experience in survivorship care and managing the late effects of childhood cancer.

HAMILTON, Ont. (Oct. 28, 2025) – Today, Hyundai Hope on Wheels has made a gift of $100,000 to Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation / MacKids in Hamilton, which was made possible by a generous donation by Hyundai Auto Canada and 225 Hyundai dealers nationwide. The event featured Hyundai’s flagship Handprint Ceremony, announcing that the full gift will go toward supporting paediatric cancer care programs at McMaster Children’s Hospital.

From left: David Badurian, director and general counsel; Rein Knol, dealer principal, Performance Hyundai, and board chair, Hyundai Hope on Wheels Canada; Bruce Squires, president, McMaster Children’s Hospital, and vice-president, women’s and children’s health and site executive, West Lincoln Memorial Hospital, Hamilton Health Sciences; Sherri Bocchini, vice-president, philanthropy and partnerships, Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation; and Dr. Vicky Breakey, division head, hematology and oncology, and paediatric oncologist, McMaster Children’s Hospital

The announcement was made during Hyundai’s signature Handprint Ceremony, a symbolic event where children affected by cancer place their painted handprints on a white Hyundai vehicle. Each handprint represents courage, unity and the ongoing fight to end childhood cancer. Families, care teams and community members joined the ceremony to commemorate the donation and celebrate the impact of survivorship care.

“Being here today fills me with immense pride and joy. Being part of the Hyundai Hope on Wheels initiative and being able to give back to the community where I earned my undergraduate and graduate degrees is an incredible feeling,” said David Badurina, director and general counsel at Hyundai Auto Canada. “We’re honoured to stand alongside the healthcare practitioners at McMaster Children’s Hospital who provide hope and care to children and their families; this donation will go a long way in supporting care programs as they embark on their survivorship journey.”

McMaster Children’s Hospital sees approximately 65 new paediatric cancer cases annually and manages more than 8,000 outpatient visits per year related to paediatric oncology. As a regional centre for paediatric cancer care, the hospital serves children from infancy to 17 aged across south-central Ontario. The hospital is a member of both the Paediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO) and the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), enabling access to standardized care protocols and international clinical trials.

“This gift from Hyundai Hope on Wheels is a powerful affirmation of what community can do together,” says Anissa Hilborn, CEO of Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation. “As the regional centre for paediatric cancer care, McMaster Children’s Hospital’s need to provide comprehensive care—from diagnosis through survivorship—is constant. Hyundai’s support will directly enhance programs that manage the late effects of childhood cancer, ensuring patients and their families have access to the best care, right here in our region.”

Hyundai Hope on Wheels is a registered charity focused on funding research and care programs for children with cancer. The donation to Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation / MacKids is part of a broader $4 million commitment Hyundai Hope on Wheels is making in 2025 to support paediatric oncology centres across the country. Through this initiative, Hyundai Canada is proud to give back to the communities where its employees and customers live and work — and to help drive progress, one handprint at a time.