Hyundai awards $1 million grant to Foundation for pediatric cancer research
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, USA, August 28, 2018 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Intermountain Foundation at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital has received a $1 million Hyundai Quantum Grant from Hyundai Hope on Wheels®, a not-for-profit organization that is committed to finding a cure for childhood cancer. The rare Quantum Grant, which is Hyundai Hope on Wheels’ largest grant category given to support research on pediatric cancers with low survival rates, was awarded to just four recipients nationwide.
The gift will allow Dr. Joshua Schiffman of the University of Utah School of Medicine, Huntsman Cancer Institute and Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital to explore with his team whether the TP53 gene, shared by elephants and humans, may provide a novel treatment option for osteosarcoma, the most commonly diagnosed bone tumor in children and adolescents. While humans have 2 copies of the gene, elephants have 40 copies of the tumor-fighting gene. Dr. Schiffman, who is a pediatric cancer survivor and pediatric oncologist, and his team believe the extra elephant genes may help to explain elephants’ natural ability to avoid cancer.
Representatives from Hyundai and Intermountain joined community members, cancer patients, and cancer survivors at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital to celebrate the generous gift. Hospital CEO Katy Welkie told the gathered crowd, “The work we do to save lives, find cures, and bring hope is what keeps me motivated and driven in my work. I’m honored to share this day with our generous donors from Hyundai Hope on Wheels, and Dr. Josh Schiffman, a physician, researcher, and colleague I admire and respect for the work he’s doing to cure cancer.”
President and CEO of Hyundai Motor America Kenny Lee said, “We want to help provide more support to help save children’s lives. We know that finding cures for pediatric cancer is a difficult task. But we are confident through the dedication and determination of doctor-researchers, such as those here at Primary Children’s, we can find a cure.”
Patients battling cancer at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital participated in the program’s signature Handprint Ceremony by dipping their hands in different colors of paint and placing them on a white 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The result served as a representation of their individual and collective journeys, hopes, and dreams.
About Intermountain Foundation
Intermountain Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that supports Intermountain Healthcare’s not-for-profit system comprised of 22 hospitals, including Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, as well as 170 clinics, and 37,000 dedicated employees. Helping People Live the Healthiest Lives Possible®, Intermountain is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare through high quality and sustainable costs. For more information visit intermountainfoundation.org.
The gift will allow Dr. Joshua Schiffman of the University of Utah School of Medicine, Huntsman Cancer Institute and Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital to explore with his team whether the TP53 gene, shared by elephants and humans, may provide a novel treatment option for osteosarcoma, the most commonly diagnosed bone tumor in children and adolescents. While humans have 2 copies of the gene, elephants have 40 copies of the tumor-fighting gene. Dr. Schiffman, who is a pediatric cancer survivor and pediatric oncologist, and his team believe the extra elephant genes may help to explain elephants’ natural ability to avoid cancer.
Representatives from Hyundai and Intermountain joined community members, cancer patients, and cancer survivors at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital to celebrate the generous gift. Hospital CEO Katy Welkie told the gathered crowd, “The work we do to save lives, find cures, and bring hope is what keeps me motivated and driven in my work. I’m honored to share this day with our generous donors from Hyundai Hope on Wheels, and Dr. Josh Schiffman, a physician, researcher, and colleague I admire and respect for the work he’s doing to cure cancer.”
President and CEO of Hyundai Motor America Kenny Lee said, “We want to help provide more support to help save children’s lives. We know that finding cures for pediatric cancer is a difficult task. But we are confident through the dedication and determination of doctor-researchers, such as those here at Primary Children’s, we can find a cure.”
Patients battling cancer at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital participated in the program’s signature Handprint Ceremony by dipping their hands in different colors of paint and placing them on a white 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The result served as a representation of their individual and collective journeys, hopes, and dreams.
About Intermountain Foundation
Intermountain Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that supports Intermountain Healthcare’s not-for-profit system comprised of 22 hospitals, including Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, as well as 170 clinics, and 37,000 dedicated employees. Helping People Live the Healthiest Lives Possible®, Intermountain is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare through high quality and sustainable costs. For more information visit intermountainfoundation.org.
Daron Cowley
Intermountain Healthcare
801-442-2834
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