Augusta University receives $400K Grant From Hyundai To Help Boost Pediatric Cancer Research

At Wellstar Children's Hospital of Georgia, Dr. David Munn was awarded a $400,000 Scholar Hope Grant from Hyundai Hope on Wheels. The funds will push ahead studies to support pediatric cancer research.

"We really rely on people like Hyundai who understand the need and give hope to these kids," Dr. Munn said per Augusta CEO. He works as a professor at the Medical College of Georgia, guiding the Pediatric Immunotherapy Program.

Scientists aim to make kids' natural defenses stronger so cancer drugs can work as well as they do in grown-ups. Each year, about 4,000 young Americans face brain and spinal cord tumors. 

"Recurrent or treatment-resistant pediatric brain tumors represent the largest single cause of cancer deaths in children," Dr. Munn said to Augusta CEO. His team combines body-defense boosting with standard treatments when tumors keep growing back.

For a decade, experts at the Georgia Cancer Center have run tests mixing immune support with standard care. Their work brings new options to young patients at Wellstar Children's Hospital.

This gift builds on past support from Hyundai Hope on Wheels. Just last year, Dr. Theodore Johnson got $400,000 for his work in the same program. Since 2011, Hyundai has put over $1.5 million into local cancer studies.

As one of America's top supporters of child cancer studies, Hyundai Hope on Wheels has given out more than $277 million to hospitals nationwide over 27 years.