Handprints of Courage: The Heart Behind Hope On Wheels

On Tuesday, August 12, 2025, the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt hosted a powerful and emotional event—the Hope On Wheels Handprint Ceremony, a signature moment in Hyundai’s nationwide initiative to fight pediatric cancer. Sponsored by our team at Wyatt Johnson Hyundai, this event brought together young cancer warriors, families, hospital staff, and community members to celebrate strength, resilience, and hope.  

What Does Hope On Wheels Do? 

Hyundai’s Hope on Wheels is a deeply impactful nonprofit initiative committed to ending childhood cancer through research funding, awareness campaigns, and community engagement. Founded in 1998 and supported by Hyundai Motor America and over 850 dealers nationwide, the program donates a portion of every new Hyundai vehicle sale to pediatric cancer research. To date, it has awarded more than $225 million in grants to hospitals and institutions across the U.S., making it one of the largest nonprofit funders in this field.  

Hope on Wheels’ Handprint Ceremony 

The centerpiece of the event is the emotionally resonant Handprint Ceremony, where children affected by cancer place their painted handprints on a white Hyundai vehicle. Each handprint represents a story of courage, resilience, and hope, transforming the car into a traveling symbol of the fight against pediatric cancer. The event also features appearances by National Youth Ambassadors—childhood cancer survivors who share their journeys to inspire others and raise awareness. 

Inspiring Courage Nationwide 

Hyundai Hope on Wheels visits children’s hospitals across the country, bringing not only financial support but also a sense of solidarity and encouragement to families and medical teams. Through these efforts, the initiative continues to drive innovation in treatment and bring hope to thousands of children and families facing cancer.  

The Impact So Far 

• More than 1,000 research grants awarded  

• Supported hospitals and researchers in all 50 states  

• This year, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital received a $100,000 Impact Grant to support research on long-term cognitive health in pediatric cancer survivors. 

• $27 million in grants awarded in 2025 alone to 106 medical institutions nationwide 

Supporting the Cause Locally 

Wyatt Johnson Hyundai, your Hyundai dealership near Nashville, is proud to support initiatives like Hope On Wheels and the incredible work being done at Monroe Carell. Whether you’re scheduling service or shopping for a new vehicle, your support helps drive change. For store hours and availability, visit our Hyundai dealership hours page, or schedule your next visit through our online service portal. 

Tags: Community, Local Events, Wyatt Johnson Hyundai
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