New Delhi / Chennai: Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), the CSR arm of Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), in collaboration with IIT Madras, launched 'Hyundai Hope for Cancer', a pioneering initiative to transform paediatric cancer care in India.

HMIF has committed INR 56 crore to the project, including a dedicated Cancer Care Fund to support economically disadvantaged patients.

The initiative features the Hyundai Centre for Cancer Genomics at IIT Madras' main campus in Chennai, inaugurated by Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Education. The Centre houses India's first Cancer Tissue Biobank, enabling advanced genomic research in paediatric leukaemia and lymphoma.

Pradhan highlighted that the programme supports India's National Education Policy 2020, fosters industry-academia collaboration, and strengthens early detection and access to care for underserved communities.

The Centre will focus on genomic sequencing to identify mutations, develop personalized treatments, and serve as a collaborative hub for clinicians, researchers, pharmaceutical experts, and international partners including the ICGC and WHO's IARC.

Over four years, the initiative aims to conduct 225+ cancer awareness and screening camps across Tamil Nadu, Haryana, and Maharashtra, reaching 1.27 lakh individuals and vaccinating over 5,000 girls against HPV. It will also sequence 1,600+ samples, provide free treatment for 30-50 children, upskill 100+ genomics technicians, and deploy Mobile Medical Units to underserved regions.

Mr. Unsoo Kim, MD HMIL, said, “'Hyundai Hope for Cancer' is about healing, hope, and resilience for every child.” Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director IIT Madras, added that the Centre will catalyse breakthroughs in diagnostics and targeted treatments.

The initiative aligns with Hyundai's global 'Hope on Wheels' programme, reinforcing its commitment to children battling cancer worldwide.