Hyundai Hope on Wheels® donates $100,000 to support the Pediatric Cancer program at Children’s Hospital New Orleans

Written By Alicia Vial

In celebration, patients handprinted the Hyundai Hope on Wheels® vehicle that is traveling the nation during Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month

NEW ORLEANS – September is National Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month and Children’s Hospital New Orleans is proud to announce a $100,000 Impact Award from Hyundai Hope On Wheels® that will support the more than 2,000 children from across Louisiana and the Gulf South who are cared for by the hospital’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders each year.

Dr. Benjamin Watkins helps a pediatric cancer patient decorate the Hyundai Hope on Wheels® vehicle.

“Receiving a life changing diagnosis is just that, totally life changing,” says Children’s Hospital New Orleans President and CEO, Lucio A. Fragoso. “Our Hematology Oncology team delivers expert and lifesaving care while also creating an environment of hope, support and comfort for children receiving treatment for cancer or blood disorders and their families. Most of our children spend months, even years in treatment with us here. The generous grant from Hyundai Hope On Wheels® helps us amplify their care and experience.”

The donation will be used to provide financial assistance to families facing financial burden to help cover the cost of necessities like food, medication and housing and to help amplify the experience of patients and families who are receiving care in the hospital.

“Every 36 minutes a child is diagnosed with pediatric cancer. It drastically changes their lives, with treatments including chemotherapy, radiation and surgeries – during a time when they should be experiencing the simple joys of childhood,” says Tim Wallwork from Hyundai Motor America. “That’s why Hyundai Hope On Wheels® joined this fight 26 years ago – and we will continue to stand with our partners in health for as long as it takes until we find a cure.”

Following the donation presentation, patients were invited to leave painted handprints on a Hyundai vehicle that will travel the nation during Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, celebrated annually throughout September, while the organization awards $26 million in grants to children’s hospitals across the country.

The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Hospital provides expert treatment and transplantation for children with leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anemia, hemophilia and other childhood cancers and blood disorders, regardless of the family’s ability to pay. Children’s Hospital is the only accredited pediatric facility in the state, performing bone marrow transplants and actively conducting cancer research on therapies at the forefront of medicine. The center also has the largest, most experienced group of pediatric cancer specialists in the region, staffed by faculty from LSU Health New Orleans and Tulane Pediatrics. Learn more at chnola.org/cancer.

###

About Children’s Hospital New Orleans
Children’s Hospital New Orleans is a 263-bed, non-profit academic pediatric medical center that offers comprehensive healthcare services, including over 40 pediatric specialties, delivered just for children. With more than 600 pediatric providers, Children’s offers a comprehensive array of pediatric healthcare services in Louisiana and the Gulf South. In addition to its main campus located in New Orleans, the hospital operates a network of specialty clinics across Louisiana, including in Covington, Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Lafayette, and Diamondhead, MS. Children’s offers primary care services at 14 convenient locations and via its Virtual Care for Kids program. Children’s is a proud member of LCMC Health, a Louisiana-based, not-for-profit hospital system which also includes New Orleans East Hospital, Touro, University Medical Center New Orleans, West Jefferson Medical Center, East Jefferson General Hospital, Tulane Medical Center, Lakeview Hospital, and Lakeside Hospital. Learn more at chnola.org.   

About Hyundai Hope On Wheels®
Hyundai Hope On Wheels® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is committed to finding a cure for childhood cancer. Launched in 1998, Hyundai Hope On Wheels provides grants to eligible institutions nationwide that are pursuing critical research aimed at improving treatments and saving lives. Hyundai Hope On Wheels is one of the largest nonprofit funders of pediatric cancer research in the country. Primary funding for Hyundai Hope On Wheels comes from Hyundai Motor America and its more than 830 U.S. dealers. In 2023, Hyundai Hope On Wheels will surpass a lifetime total donation of $225 million in support of more than 1,300 childhood cancer research grants.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

Previous

Second annual Fore the Families Cocktail Par•tee hosted by Ronald McDonald House Charities
Next

Annual Grassroots Radio Conference Announced in New Orleans 2024