Hyundai has pledged to donate $100,000 each to 68 hospitals and non profit organizations to help fight pediatric cancer. Dealers will contribute $200 from each vehicle sale to the cause, and most of the financing is said to be arriving in this way.

The program, known as Hyundai Hope on Wheels will oversee the distribution of the nearly $ 7 million to the various charities. ”While we’ve made progress over the last few decades and now have an 85 percent cure rate, cancer still takes more lives than any other childhood disease,” said Hyundai Motor America President and CEO John Krafcik. “This September, in support of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Hyundai will shine a nationwide spotlight on this cause and provide more than $6 million in grants for pediatric cancer research and support programs. We love taking on big challenges at Hyundai, and we can think of no more worthy challenge than finding a cure for all forms of pediatric cancer.”

Hope on Wheels will have donated close to $23 million by year’s end,

Hit the jump to see the official press release

[Source: Hyundai]

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Cancer Survivor Joe Bacal and navigator Paul Williamsen may just have set a record this weekend, taking first place in their class at the grueling Baja 500 race. It was the first win for Bascal, the JTGrey Racing Team, the Cancer Treatment Centers of America LX570 and for Lexus in professional off-road racing.

More amazing still Bascal piloted the Lexus solo during the entire 16 hours it took to complete the 41st annual Tecate SCORE Baja 500 in the Stock Full class.

“This is truly a dream come true,” said Bacal. “The LX 570 was bulletproof and we went the entire distance without a tire change. I was tired at the end but not exhausted, which is something that two years ago was hard to imagine after my cancer ordeal.”

Bascal and his Cancer Treatment Centers of America TJGrey Racing Lexus LX570 will race again in August at the Vegas to Reno 1000 in the Best of the Desert series.

GALLERY: JTGrey Racing Lexus LX570

Official release after the jump:

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