• Hyundai Hope on Wheels launches new national partnership with The C¹⁷ Council to advance paediatric cancer research
• New partnership strengthens national collaboration in paediatric cancer space, part of Hyundai’s $4.1‑million pledge to help end childhood cancer.
• Hyundai Hope on Wheels introduces a new $1 million Research Grant Fund supporting four Canadian‑led paediatric cancer research projects over two years, administered by C¹⁷ Research Network.

TORONTO, Ont. (Feb. 12, 2026) – Hyundai Hope on Wheels today announced a new partnership with The C¹⁷ Council at the Toronto International Auto Show. The C¹⁷ Council represents the institutionally appointed leaders of the 16 paediatric hematology, oncology and stem cell transplant programs across Canada and plays a critical national role in improving outcomes for children with cancer.

From left: Ari, patient ambassador of SickKids Foundation; Dr. Jim Whitlock, head, Division of Haematology/Oncology at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and chair of C¹⁷ Council; and Steve Flamand, president and CEO, Hyundai Auto Canada

To celebrate this partnership, Hyundai Hope on Wheels introduced its new $1 million Research Grant Fund, which will support four paediatric cancer research projects, each receiving $250,000 over two years. This fund is part of Hyundai Hope on Wheels’ broader commitment of over $4.1‑million pledge, announced in January, to help end childhood cancer.

“Hyundai Hope on Wheels is honoured to partner with The C¹⁷ Council and help strengthen Canada’s paediatric cancer research ecosystem,” said Steve Flamand, president and CEO of Hyundai Auto Canada. “By working with C¹⁷ we’re ensuring that every dollar is directed to the projects with the greatest potential to meaningfully improve outcomes for children and their families. This partnership helps accelerate progress toward a better future.”

“Despite remarkable improvements in the outcomes of children with cancer in Canada, cancer remains the leading disease-related cause of death in Canadian children beyond the newborn period. The Canadian childhood cancer community is incredibly grateful to Hyundai Canada and its Hyundai Hope on Wheels program for their extraordinary support of clinical care and research for children and their families who suffer from these dreaded diseases, bringing hope in the darkest of times,” said Dr. Jim Whitlock, head, Division of Haematology/Oncology at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and chair of C¹⁷. “The Hyundai Hope on Wheels research grant competition will speed the pace of scientific discovery into the causes of childhood cancer and support the development of promising new treatments. This new investment into the health of our children will have an enormous impact now and for many decades to come. Thank you, Hyundai Canada.”

As part of the partnership, The C¹⁷ Council will administer Hyundai Hope on Wheels’ research funding for the four winning research projects. C¹⁷ will also continue to administer the previously announced $400,000 Hyundai Hope on Wheels clinical trials grant, supporting clinical trials for children with hard‑to‑treat cancers across the country.

For 23 years, The C¹⁷ Council and its Research Network have been central to Canada’s collaborative approach to paediatric cancer care. By uniting all sixteen paediatric cancer programs across the country, C¹⁷ ensures that research priorities are coordinated nationally and that clinical trial opportunities are available to children regardless of where they live. The C17 council will also help accelerate the development of new therapies and ensure Canadian children benefit from the latest research insights and innovations in paediatric cancer care.