Hyundai drives $100K donation to CHKD

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - An automotive company showed children battling cancer at Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters in Norfolk that they are not in this fight alone.

Hyundai Motor America donated $100,000 to CHKD Thursday. Through the Hope on Wheels program, the company makes contributions at children's' hospitals nationwide.

Ken Bloech , with Hyundai GM Southern Region, said "the Hyundai dealers of America and your Norfolk dealers will donate a total of $23 million this month."

The cure rates for children with cancer is higher than it has ever been, but the fight is far from over. The money from Hyundai will be used to fund research on pain symptoms and quality of life in children with cancer.

Dr. Linda Pegram CHKD's Director of Oncology added, "believe it or not, there haven't been other prospective studies looking at symptoms of kids with cancer throughout their treatment."

The kids undergoing treatment at CHKD have left their caregivers with a lasting impression.

Pegram said, "they continue to live their life even when they're in the clinic getting chemotherapy. And their focus is to just try to have fun and enjoy their life."

The bravery of the children leaves even their parents in awe.

"My daughter is six now she was diagnosed with cancer when she was five. And um, just watching her and her courage through everyday it's amazing," Joey Jenkins said.

Matthew Hare offered this advice to other kids, like himself, who are battling cancer, "just keep fighting."

The Hope on Wheels program has raised $43 million since it began just over a decade ago.