by Christina Echegaray
Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt has been awarded a grant from longtime philanthropic partner Hyundai Hope On Wheels to support a COVID-19 drive-thru testing site at Nissan Stadium, home of the Tennessee Titans.
An avid supporter of pediatric cancer research, Hyundai Hope On Wheels is helping to provide COVID-19 drive-thru testing in the community so that at-risk populations, such as children with cancer, are less vulnerable during this time.
Children’s Hospital was among 22 pediatric hospitals nationwide to receive one of these recent grants.
Hyundai Hope On Wheels, through its local dealerships, has supported Children’s Hospital and its pediatric cancer research since 2007.
“We have all become aware of the importance of testing for coronavirus as we move forward through this unprecedented pandemic, both to understand more about the virus but also to protect those people who may be more at risk. Although children appear to be spared infection to a greater degree than adults, we do know that children with underlying diseases, like cancer, are more at risk,” said Meg Rush, MD, MMHC, president of Children’s Hospital.
“Hyundai Hope On Wheels has supported pediatric cancer initiatives at Children’s Hospital for many years. We are so grateful for this unique gift to support our communitywide testing that will help protect our patients with cancer and other chronic conditions,” she added.
Hyundai Hope On Wheels is a nonprofit supported by Hyundai Motor America and its U.S. dealers. The grants awarded to Children’s Hospital have been used for many research projects, including looking at ways to reduce the long-term side effects of chemotherapy and deliver more personalized treatments.
“Children with cancer are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 because many have compromised immune systems,” said Zafar Brooks, executive director and board member of Hyundai Hope On Wheels. “These same kids we strive to help as part of our fight to end childhood cancer are now in need of our help to fight this pandemic. Our goal is to help provide a safe and trusted way for children who present risk factors to be tested for coronavirus.”
