Around 40 Pediatric Cancer Patients and Family Members Invited to Ulsan for Two Day Trip Featuring HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Yard Tour and Professional Soccer Match Experience

‘Our Heroes’ Social Contribution Program Launches to Support Life After Treatment for Children Who Overcame Serious Illnesses

“We Hope This Experience Gives Patients and Their Families the Strength to Dream of a Brighter and More Hopeful Future”

▲ Pediatric cancer patients and their families participating in ‘Our Heroes,’ a social contribution program created to support children who have overcome serious illnesses, pose for a commemorative photo after touring the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard on May 9 during their trip to Ulsan.

“I Saw an Enormous Ship and Even Got to Hold Hands with Soccer Players! It Was So Amazing.

I’m Going to Tell All My Friends About It.”

(Kim Su-oh, 3, currently undergoing treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia since 2024)

“When My Younger Sibling Was Sick, I always felt guilty enjoying myself, no matter where we went.

During this trip, though, our whole family could laugh together without any worries, and that made me really happy.”

(Hong Do-gyeong, 15, older brother of a pediatric cancer patient)

“We usually hesitate to travel far because we are always worried that our child’s condition could suddenly worsen. This time, we felt reassured knowing that medical staff we regularly see at the hospital would also be joining the trip.

Through Our Heroes, we felt deeply comforted and supported even after treatment had ended.”

(Ham Min-a, 52, mother of a pediatric cancer patient)

Children with cancer and their families who endured difficult treatment and long periods of illness recently shared an unforgettable experience in Ulsan. Visiting a shipyard where enormous vessels are built and a soccer stadium filled with the energy and passion of professional players, the children found new inspiration and courage to dream about the future.

Asan Medical Center invited around 40 pediatric cancer patients and their family members to Ulsan for a special two day trip from May 9 to 10. The event was held as part of ‘Our Heroes,’ a social contribution program designed to support children with serious illnesses in collaboration with HD Hyundai 1% Nanum (Sharing) Foundation and ChildFund Korea.

‘Our Heroes’ is a social contribution program created for children who are undergoing treatment for serious illnesses such as pediatric cancer or who have successfully overcome their disease. The program carries the message of supporting these young heroes who have bravely fought illness for a long time.

During the event, participating families stepped away from hospital wards and treatment routines to create meaningful memories through a tour of the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard and by attending a home match of Ulsan HD FC. Professor Sung Han Kang from the Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Asan Medical Center Children’s Hospital and pediatric palliative care nurse Eun Ock Lee also joined the trip to help ensure a safe and comfortable experience for the children and their families.

▲ On May 9, pediatric cancer patients and their families listen to a guide’s explanation while viewing ship models at the exhibition hall of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries.

On the first day of the trip, May 9, the children and their families toured the shipyard of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and experienced firsthand the scale of Korea’s world leading shipbuilding industry. They also enjoyed a relaxing day visiting some of Ulsan’s major attractions, including Ulsan Bridge Observatory and Daewangam Park.

▲ On May 10, pediatric cancer patients and their families share a ‘Victory High Five’ with Marcão of Ulsan HD FC on the field at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium.

On the second day, May 10, the families visited Jangsaengpo Whale Culture Village before heading to Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium to experience professional soccer up close. Just before kickoff, the children participated in the ‘Victory High Five’ event, where they had the chance to personally greet players from Ulsan HD FC, creating unforgettable memories. The families then watched the match between Ulsan HD FC and Bucheon FC 1995, cheering enthusiastically alongside the crowd that filled the stadium.

HD Hyundai 1% Nanum (Sharing) Foundation fully covered all travel expenses for the participating families during the two day trip, including accommodations, transportation, and meals.

The event also reflects the patient centered philosophy of Asan Medical Center, which seeks to support patients not only during treatment but throughout their lives afterward. Children who experience serious illnesses often face physical and emotional challenges after undergoing long periods of treatment, while opportunities to interact with peers may also become limited. Continued support is therefore important to help them regain emotional stability and rebuild social connections even after treatment ends.

The Our Heroes program was created with this purpose in mind, encouraging children to dream about new possibilities by giving them opportunities to experience industrial and sports settings that they would not normally encounter in everyday life.

Asan Medical Center and HD Hyundai 1% Nanum (Sharing) Foundation plan to continue the Our Heroes program in the second half of this year. Around 60 children who have experienced serious illnesses and their families will be invited to a theme park, where they will have the opportunity to enjoy a family outing and spend meaningful time together for emotional healing and recovery.

Professor Sung Han Kang from the Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Asan Medical Center Children’s Hospital said, “For children who have experienced serious illnesses, life after treatment is another important journey of healing both physically and emotionally. Seeing children who had lived with constant tension throughout long periods of treatment light up with excitement in front of enormous ships at the shipyard and smile energetically while greeting soccer players at the stadium was deeply moving. We hope this trip gives the children and their families the strength to dream of a brighter and more hopeful future.”

Moon Joon-sik, team manager of the Secretariat at HD Hyundai 1% Nanum (Sharing) Foundation, said, “It was truly meaningful to see children develop curiosity through a variety of new experiences and gain the courage to challenge themselves through the Our Heroes program. We will continue providing practical support so that these experiences can grow into dreams and those dreams can expand into a wider world.”