UF Health child cancer specialist awarded $400K grant

Press release from UF Health

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Joining together to fight cancer – that was why pediatric patients and staff gathered on August 9 at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital.

Hyundai Hope on Wheels rolled into Gainesville on Wednesday morning. Motivated by its commitment to end childhood cancer, Hyundai Hope on Wheels made a $400,000 contribution to the cancer research of Paul Castillo, M.D., an assistant professor in the division of pediatric hematology and oncology at the UF College of Medicine.

This grant will fund his research on acute myeloid leukemia, or AML. AML is a therapeutic challenge for children 20 years old and younger. Castillo says AML’s mortality rate is approximately 40%.

“The real heroes of this story are our patients and their families,” Castillo said.

UF Health pediatric patients and staff painted their hands and placed handprints on a Hope vehicle. Handprints honor pediatric cancer survivors, children battling cancer, and those who have lost their lives.

“The handprint is a symbol of our courage, hope, and the progress that we’re making,” said Michael DePaul, the Hyundai southern region’s general manager.

Together, Hyundai Hope on Wheels and UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital are dedicated to combating childhood cancer. Last year, John Ligon, M.D., an assistant professor in the division of pediatric hematology and oncology at the UF College of Medicine, was awarded $200,000 by Hyundai Hope on Wheels. Ligon’s research focused on establishing a 3D metastatic osteosarcoma organoid model to accelerate combination immunotherapy.

“We know that research never stops,” Ligon said. “The thought always has to be what comes next.”

Since 2013, Hyundai has awarded the University of Florida and its researchers a total of $3 million.