Hyundai Awards $400K Grant for Pediatric Brain Cancer Research at Augusta U.
Hyundai Hope On Wheels handed out a $400,000 Scholar Hope Grant to Theodore S. Johnson, MD, PhD, at Wellstar Golisano Children’s Hospital of Georgia. The money will pay for studies…
![Joined by Augusta University President Russell T. Keen, First Lady Karen B. Keen and a trio of Hyundai representatives, Theodore S. Johnson, MD, PhD, and cancer survivor Isabella Franco-Capps hold a symbolic check from Hyundai Hope On Wheels in recognition of a $400,000 grant awarded to Johnson for his research in childhood cancer. [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]](https://party983.com/uploads/2026/10/hyundai-augusta-u.jpg?format=auto&optimize=high&width=1440)
Joined by Augusta University President Russell T. Keen, First Lady Karen B. Keen and a trio of Hyundai representatives, Theodore S. Johnson, MD, PhD, and cancer survivor Isabella Franco-Capps hold a symbolic check from Hyundai Hope On Wheels in recognition of a $400,000 grant awarded to Johnson for his research in childhood cancer.
Image Courtesy Michael Holahan/Augusta UniversityHyundai Hope On Wheels handed out a $400,000 Scholar Hope Grant to Theodore S. Johnson, MD, PhD, at Wellstar Golisano Children's Hospital of Georgia. The money will pay for studies into brain cancer in kids. Johnson co-directs the Pediatric Immunotherapy Program for the Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University, and that's where this work happens.
As a pediatric oncologist, Johnson treats kids who have brain tumors. Their families come too. His lab hunts for better ways to fight these diseases and help young patients live better lives.
"Every child with cancer deserves the opportunity to grow up and live a full, healthy life," said Johnson, per Augusta CEO. "This support allows us to continue pursuing new approaches to treatment for children with some of the most difficult cancers to treat."
Scholar Hope Grants go to doctors who do translational research while seeing patients. This marks the fifth time the group has backed Johnson's pediatric cancer studies.
Each year, more than 15,000 kids get a cancer diagnosis in the United States. Money from groups like Hyundai Hope On Wheels lets scientists and doctors chase down fresh ideas that might give sick children new ways to fight back.
"Research is an important part of caring for children with cancer," Johnson said during the same announcement. "Our goal is to take what we learn in the laboratory and translate it into better treatments for the children we care for."
Hyundai Motor America and its more than 830 U.S. dealers provide most of the money for Hyundai Hope On Wheels. The group started in 1998. This year, it will cross $303 million in total donations to childhood cancer research.
