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The Daily Wildcat

The Daily Wildcat

 

    “Helping hands: Kids with cancer paint car, $50K is donated”

    Children battling cancer at University Medical Center left their mark on an SUV yesterday during a ceremony in which $50,000 was donated for pediatric cancer research.
    Children battling cancer at University Medical Center left their mark on an SUV yesterday during a ceremony in which $50,000 was donated for pediatric cancer research.

    Children battling cancer at University Medical Center left their mark on an SUV yesterday during a ceremony in which $50,000 was donated for pediatric cancer research.

    Young patients with cancer joined the effort to spark hope and awareness by placing colorful handprints onto an SUV on the lawn in front of the UMC’s main entrance yesterday.

    The UMC received a $50,000 donation from Jim Click and Tucson-area Hyundai dealerships for research of pediatric cancer, the No. 1 disease killer of children.

    Patients were given the opportunity to paint their hands with their favorite color and make a personal print on the glossy white paint of the Hope on Wheels mobile, an SUV traversing the country to spread cancer awareness.

    Daizy Woods, an 18-year-old with cancer, said her own experiences with the disease have been difficult and stressful, but giving hope of recovery to young patients is most important.

    “”It’s all about supporting the youth,”” Woods said. “”It’s awesome that any type of organization can come and support (this cause).””

    For one family, the event gave a renewed feeling of hope and success.

    Recently, the Miller family discovered that both their sons Brent and Cole had cancer when Cole was diagnosed about a month ago.

    The two brothers, who were transferred from a Yuma hospital to UMC, both said they enjoyed being treated in Tucson and they each had fun at the event.

    “”The hospital here is good,”” said Brent Miller. “”And the food is better (than the Yuma hospital’s).””

    More than 10 patients between the ages of 2 and 18 came to the event.

    “”This event is an opportunity for them to do something that’s very visible in terms of our fight to find a cure for childhood cancer,”” said Lois Hopkin, UMC’s Acting

    Patient Care Manager. “”The kids are remarkable in terms of their character and their courage.””

    The donation made by Tucson-area Hyundai dealerships is going to help fund additional research to find treatment for childhood cancers, Hopkin said.

    To ensure the money is properly channeled into the appropriate centers, Hope on Wheels has partnered with CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation, a company that will manage the funding.

    Before the ceremony ended, Jim Click, owner of Tucson’s Jim Click Hyundai Dealerships, surprised the audience and UMC staff when he declared that Tucson Hyundai would double the original $25,000 donation, bringing the total donation to $50,000.

    “”I think it’s a great tribute to our medical center, especially the pediatric cancer research center here,”” Click said. “”I think that when they know the whole world cares, it makes them feel that much better.””

    This year the Hyundai’s Hope On Wheels program has announced plans to award 10 $2,500 scholarships to assist college-bound high school seniors nationwide.

    Since 1998, Hyundai dealers nationwide have donated more than $7 million to the fight against cancer.

    Anyone interested in seeing a duplicate Hope On Wheels mobile can visit any Tucson-area Jim Click Hyundai.

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