• Hyundai Hope on Wheels awarded $100,000 grants to both IWK Foundation in Halifax and the Janeway Children’s Hospital Foundation in St. John’s, each presentation was marked by an inspiring Handprint Ceremony.
• The donations in Atlantic Canada are part of Hyundai Canada’s 2026 commitment of more than $4.1 million towards pediatric cancer care, research and family support programs that is being donated across Canada.
• As Hyundai Hope on Wheels travels through Atlantic Canada, the organization continues its second annual cross-country tour bringing hope and support to communities nationwide. 

MARKHAM, ON, Sept. 29, 2026 /CNW/ — The inspiring Handprint Ceremony that is the centrepiece of the Hyundai Hope on Wheels campaign arrived in Atlantic Canada this week with $200,000 in donations supporting pediatric cancer care in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador.

The donations, $100,000 each for IWK Foundation in Halifax and Janeway Children’s Hospital Foundation in St. John’s, will help families battling cancer and health-care professionals providing critical care in childhood cancer. At each Handprint Ceremony, children place their handprints on a Hyundai vehicle, creating a colourful tribute to their individual journeys and the strength they demonstrate every day.

“Behind every diagnosis is a child with dreams, a family searching for answers and a future worth fighting for,” says Kirk Merrett, Director of Network Planning, Performance and Customer Experience (CX) at Hyundai Auto Canada. “We are honoured to support the exceptional teams at IWK Health and the Janeway as they deliver hope, healing and innovative care to children across Atlantic Canada. Together, we are helping ensure more families can look toward tomorrow with optimism.”

Transforming spaces and advancing care at IWK Health

The $100,000 grant to IWK Foundation will help transform pediatric cancer care at the IWK by supporting the creation of a dedicated chemotherapy preparation area and the launch of a new clinical trials program. These investments will enhance the delivery of life-saving treatments, expand access to innovative therapies, and create new opportunities for research that can improve outcomes for Nova Scotia children and families affected by cancer.

The Handprint Ceremony in Halifax also featured the story of 15-year-old Landon O’Neill, whose experience reflects the strength of the children and families navigating a cancer diagnosis in their childhood.

Just this past March, when Landon’s face began turning blue and he was vomiting, his parents knew the head cold they thought he was fighting was much more serious. They sought medical help at IWK Health right away, where a chest x-ray showed an abnormal growth in his chest, pressing on his heart. Landon was immediately admitted to the IWK’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit where a bone marrow biopsy gave Landon and his parents the life-changing news that he has T-lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LL). This rare and aggressive cancer affects the lymphatic system, which is supposed to protect the body from infections.

“I broke down,” says Landon’s mother Lisa. “It was not easy news to take in.”

After being transferred to the IWK’s Hematology and Oncology Unit, Landon had a PICC line inserted and was the first child at the IWK to receive a port-a-cath in his arm rather than his chest. Since starting chemotherapy, he has faced significant side effects, including extreme fatigue, nausea and low hemoglobin, requiring seven blood transfusions and spinal taps every three months. Encouragingly, tests show his cancer is shrinking and responding well to treatment. However, Landon will continue chemotherapy until July 2028.

“If it wasn’t for the IWK, he might not be here with us today,” shares Lisa. “They saved his life.”

Critical support for families in Newfoundland and Labrador

In St. John’s, Hyundai Hope on Wheels presented a $100,000 grant to support the critical work of the Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre and children and families affected by cancer across Newfoundland and Labrador.

At the heart of the St. John’s ceremony was the story of eight-year-old Alexa English. Her journey at the Janeway began in June 2020, when persistent swelling behind her ear led her family to seek answers. Medical testing revealed four enlarged lymph nodes and a cancer diagnosis. From that point, Alexa received treatment and follow-up care from the Janeway’s oncology team. She spent many nights and holidays at the hospital, navigating treatment during a time when exposure to germs made even routine visits more difficult for her and her family.

Today, Alexa is in remission and returns to the Janeway every six months for checkups. Now eight, she enjoys soccer, volleyball, crafting, playing games and all things Disney. By sharing her story and placing her handprint on the Hyundai Hope on Wheels vehicle, Alexa and her family helped highlight the importance of having access to pediatric cancer care close to home.

A moving symbol of hope

Hyundai Hope on Wheels is a registered charitable foundation dedicated to helping end childhood cancer. Its Handprint Ceremonies give children who have faced cancer an opportunity to leave a permanent and deeply personal mark on a Hyundai vehicle. Together, the handprints transform the vehicle into a moving symbol of hope, resilience and the shared effort to create a future free from childhood cancer.

A portion of every new Hyundai vehicle sold in Canada supports Hyundai Hope on Wheels. This year, the second year of the campaign’s cross-Canada tour, the initiative is committing $4.1 million to pediatric cancer, with the support of Hyundai Canada and its network of 225 dealers from coast to coast to coast.

Through a partnership with the C17 council, Hyundai Hope on Wheels is also providing dedicated funding to help advance pediatric oncology clinical trials and research.

“Alexa and Landon represent the courage and determination of children facing cancer across Canada,” says Jessica Todd, Director of Sales at Hyundai Canada. “Their handprints remind us why this work matters and why Hyundai, our dealers and our partners remain committed to supporting better care, stronger research and improved outcomes for every child.”

The cross-country trek continues

Now more than halfway through the 15-city national tour, and having donated more than $1.5 million to this point, Hyundai Hope on Wheels is heading into Quebec with upcoming Handprint Ceremonies supporting the University of Sherbrooke Cancer Research Institute on October 6^th and Montreal Children’s Hospital on October 8^th.

About Hyundai Hope on Wheels

Every time a new Hyundai is sold, a portion of that sale will help to fund Hyundai Hope on Wheels. In 2026, Hyundai Hope on Wheels continues to expand its impact across Canada, committing more than $4.1 million toward pediatric cancer, supported by Hyundai Auto Canada and its network of more than 225 Hyundai dealers nationwide. Through its new partnership with Canada’s C17 Council, Hyundai Hope on Wheels helps advance pediatric oncology clinical trials and research by providing dedicated funding support.

Hyundai Hope on Wheels is a registered charitable foundation dedicated to helping end childhood cancer. Since launching in Canada in 2025, it has become one of the country’s leading supporters of pediatric cancer research, care and survivorship through impactful investments that help advance treatment and improve outcomes for children and their families.

Media Contacts: 

• Nitish Bissonauth, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, Hyundai Auto Canada; nbissonauth@hyundaicanada.com 
• Mohga Hassib, Corporate Communications, Hyundai Auto Canada; mhassib@hyundaicanada.com

SOURCE Hyundai Auto Canada Corp.