HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women & Children received a $160,000 donation from a local Hyundai dealership to help advance cancer care and research efforts.
The local Hyundai dealers’ nonprofit, Hyundai Hope on Wheels, donated to different units of the medical center in hopes of helping them continue their innovative treatments for cancer and other illnesses.
“The Hyundai Hope on Wheels Impact Grant will truly make a positive difference in the work that we do,” said Dr. Randal Wada, Kapiʻolani chief of pediatric hematology and oncology. “The new equipment will help our apheresis unit work even more efficiently, decreasing procedure time and allowing us to provide more patients with lifesaving cancer care.”
The Kapi’olani’s Cellular Therapy Program received the Impact Grant from Hyundai Hope on Wheels of $100,000.
The donation allows the program to purchase equipment for apheresis. An innovative blood procedure that focuses on treating certain cancers, along with other illnesses. This program is the only one in the state that uses this technique.
The remaining $60,000 went to the efforts of creating the Kapi’olani’s future Martha B. Smith Cancer & Infusion Center. This space will provide patient care and comfort while also leading clinical trials and treatments for women and children.
In honor of the donation, the hospital invited many guests to place a palm print on a Hyundai vehicle, to symbolize commmunity unit in the fight againgt childhood cancer.
One of these guests included patients such as Seeley Borges. The 4-year-old is also known as “Kauaʻi’s miracle baby,” after her battle with cancer. Borges received treatment at Kapiʻolani, where she was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive blood cancer.
“It’s so great to be here today and reconnect with those who helped save Seeley,” said Seeley Borges mom, Hayley Borges. “We’re deeply thankful for Kapiʻolani and Hyundai for all that they do for kids battling cancer.”
Since 1998, Hyundai Hope on Wheels has donated $277 million to a variety of pediatric cancer research and programs.