Hyundai Canada, through its charitable foundation Hyundai Hope on Wheels, presented Fondation Charles-Bruneau and the Charles-Bruneau paediatric hematology oncology unit at CHU de Québec–Université Laval with a $250,000 donation to support children with cancer.

Recognized for its compassionate, patient-centred care, the Charles-Bruneau Unit at the CHU de Québec provides specialized hematology and oncology services to children across the Quebec City and eastern Quebec region, with more than 800 children receiving treatment each year. This donation will specifically support the Unit’s art therapy program, which plays a vital role in helping young patients navigate the emotional and psychological challenges of cancer treatment.

“At Fondation Charles-Bruneau, we believe in treating the whole child—not just the illness,” said Pierre Bruneau, Founder of Fondation Charles-Bruneau. “This generous gift from Hyundai Hope on Wheels will help sustain and grow our art therapy program here at the Charles-Bruneau Unit at the CHU de Québec–Université Laval, which offers comfort, expression, and healing through creativity. We are deeply grateful for this support.”

The Charles-Bruneau Unit at CHU de Québec–Université Laval is a centre of excellence in paediatric oncology research and clinical care. It is one of the four Charles-Bruneau Centres and Units established within the four university hospital centres that care for children with cancer in Quebec CHU Sainte-Justine, the Montreal Children’s Hospital, the CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS, and the CHU de Québec–Université Laval. The Units works closely with other paediatric centres in Quebec to standardize care, accelerate research, and improve survival rates for young patients. Its multidisciplinary team is recognized for pioneering work in personalized treatment plans, aiming to minimize long-term side effects and enhance quality of life for survivors.

Marie-Eve Laflamme, the Unit’s dedicated art therapist, was present at the event to speak about the impact of the program. Whether through painting, drawing, or sculpting, artistic expression allows hospitalized children to put words on their emotions, better cope with their reality, and regain a sense of normalcy despite the illness.

Taking care of emotional and psychological well-being

“Providing effective treatments is essential, but it is not enough. Caring for a child with cancer also means taking care of their emotional and psychological well-being. Art therapy allows us to humanize care, giving a voice back to the child at the heart of the healing process. It becomes a valuable complement to medicine because it works where medication cannot reach,” said Bruno Michon, Paediatric Hemato-oncologist, Head of the Charles-Bruneau Unit at CHU de Québec–Université Laval.

The announcement was marked by a Handprint Ceremony, a signature tradition of Hyundai Hope on Wheels. During the event, young patients and their families, along with the healthcare staff of the Charles-Bruneau Unit, placed their handprints on a white Hyundai vehicle—a vibrant, visual tribute to their strength and resilience. The ceremony also brought together care teams, community members, and Hyundai representatives to honour the shared commitment to supporting children with cancer.

“This year marks the beginning of Hyundai Hope on Wheels in Canada, and today’s ceremony at the Charles-Bruneau paediatric hematology oncology unit is a beautiful reminder of the impact this initiative can have,” said Steve Flamand, President and CEO of Hyundai Canada. “By supporting programs like art therapy, we hope to bring a measure of comfort and joy to children during an incredibly challenging time—and to show them they are not alone.”

Hyundai Hope on Wheels is a registered non-profit organization dedicated to funding research and care programs for young cancer patients. The $250,000 donation to the Charles-Bruneau Unit is part of a $4 million commitment Hyundai Hope on Wheels is making in 2025 to paediatric oncology centres across Canada. This national initiative reflects Hyundai Canada’s mission to invest in the health and well-being of the communities it serves—and to help create brighter futures for children, one handprint at a time.