About Hope at Heart Foundation (Ma Hila’s Heart)

Hope at Heart Foundation is a Texas-based nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and families impacted by pediatric cancer, sickle cell disease, and childhood loss. Our mission is to remove the non-medical barriers that prevent families from focusing on what matters most, the health and well-being of their children.

Through partnerships with hospitals, healthcare providers, and community organizations, we provide compassionate, family-centered support that addresses the social drivers of health. Since our founding, we have served more than 1,800 children and family members throughout South Texas.

Our Key Initiatives

Pediatric Cancer Family Support – Providing emergency financial assistance, transportation, meals, lodging, utility assistance, and essential household needs during treatment.
Sickle Cell Family Support Program – Working alongside healthcare providers to address health disparities by connecting families with education, emergency assistance, transportation, nutrition resources, and community support. This program was launched through partnerships with leading healthcare organizations to serve an historically underserved population.
Grief & Bereavement Services – Supporting families who have experienced the loss of a child through funeral assistance, memorial services, counseling referrals, remembrance events, and ongoing emotional support.
Nutrition & Wellness – Offering nutrition education and healthy lifestyle resources to families navigating chronic illness through collaborative community partnerships.

Our Impact

Every contribution made through the SIOP Fun(d) Run & Walk helps ensure that families never have to face these challenges alone. Donations directly support programs that provide emergency relief, emotional support, and resources that improve quality of life during treatment and beyond.

We believe that hope extends beyond the hospital walls. By addressing the everyday needs of families, we help reduce stress, improve access to care, and create stronger support systems for children living with serious illnesses.

Leadership

Founded in 2017, Hope at Heart Foundation is led by President & CEO Jason Massiatte and is dedicated to providing compassionate support, critical resources, and meaningful assistance to families facing emergencies, hardships, and life-changing challenges throughout San Antonio and surrounding cities.

Impact (through July 2026)

  • More than 1,800 children, patients, and family members served
  • Over $640,000 invested in direct family assistance, programs, and supportive services
  • Partnerships with University Health, CHRISTUS Children’s Hospital, Methodist Children’s Hospital, VITAS Healthcare, UT Health San Antonio, and Mays Cancer Center

Direct Family Assistance Includes

  • Emergency housing and rent assistance
  • Utility assistance
  • Transportation to medical appointments
  • Food and nutritional support
  • Funeral and end-of-life assistance
  • Bereavement and grief support
  • Family resource navigation and case management
  • Emergency financial assistance for non-medical needs during treatment

Healthcare Partnerships

Working in collaboration with pediatric healthcare providers, oncology teams, social workers, nurse navigators, child life specialists, hospice partners, and community organizations to identify families experiencing hardship and connect them with essential non-medical support throughout San Antonio and surrounding communities.

Mission

Hope at Heart Foundation provides compassionate support, critical resources, and meaningful assistance to families facing emergencies, hardships, and life-changing challenges, helping them find hope, stability, and strength when they need it most.

Vision

We envision communities where every family facing adversity is met with compassion, empowered through support, and given the opportunity to overcome challenges and build a brighter future.