When doctors require it, insurance doesn’t cover it, and patients can’t afford it, we make housing happen for heart transplant recipients.
Heartfelt Help Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity that directly helps financially challenged patients and parents of pediatric patients pay for medically required temporary recovery housing near the hospital. We also help them with other essential expenses that became unaffordable because of the transplant.
Equity and Access are what we’re about. We help under-resourced people have the same clean, safe, private, and individualized lodging that others of larger means use, and equally close to the hospital for follow up care. We provide lodging that facilitates recovery during the initial fragile month or months after surgery until patients are stable enough to return home.
With HHF, heart transplant recipients can be Transplant Thrivers because their recovery wasn’t limited by their personal financial situation.
We support patients from the San Francisco Bay Area hospitals.
Donations are tax deductible.
Tax ID #85-0941720
See our Prospectus for more information on why what we do matters.
Businesses Make a Difference
Businesses large and small support HHF. Look at the long list! Our internal controls, few and small expenses, and all-volunteer management and staff allow grants and gifts to focus on people in need.
Help MoreYOU Make a Difference
You help deeply immune suppressed patients recover in a way they can’t on their own: in clean, safe, private lodging, not communal living, that is near the hospital, comfortable, and individualized, the same as people of larger means use. This facilitates recovery and helps them return home as soon and as strong as possible.
Give MoreYou'll Love Our Mission
We exist to ensure Equity in and Access to healthcare for heart transplant recipients in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Love MoreWE WON!
Denise Redeker, Founder of Heartfelt Help Foundation, won the 2024 Bounce Back, Give Back award of the Chris Klug Foundation that advocates nationwide for organ, eye, and tissue donation. Check out the CKF website to see why. And register there TODAY to be a donor. Every day, 17 people die while waiting for a suitable organ. 100,000 people are waiting.
Read MoreGetting Involved
We support real people with real needs who require real help real soon.
We’d love your financial, fundraising, or operational support.
Grateful People
Read quotes in our Testimonials section and see and hear many of our beneficiaries in our YouTube channel.
Hear Their Thanks
Fun in Fundraising
Thank You! to our wonderful donors, grantors, sponsors, and event participants for your generous support. Let's broadcast how all together we are helping people into their second chance at life!
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Help Wanted
Join HHF and directly help Make Housing Happen for people beginning recovery into their second chance at life.
Join UsTransforming the Lives of Patients & Their Families
“. . . Thank you for giving us a place to be with Bailey. . . Thank you for the donations that made this possible.”
See and hear their story and deep appreciation: The Lopp Family
-The Lopp Family
Armaneigh was diagnosed at 9 months old with dilated cardiomyopathy and spent the next 341 days in the hospital, ultimately receiving a new heart in mid-2023. Soon after discharge to medically required temporary recovery lodging, her mother Tianna and their hospital social worker found that the location where the hospital referred them was inappropriate for Armaneigh’s fragile condition. The hospital lacked another location to place them or financial resources to subsidize them elsewhere. A peer parent told Tianna about Heartfelt Help Foundation. HHF found appropriate local lodging, negotiated a discounted rate, and Armaneigh recovered for more than two months in a hotel suite tailored to their situation.
Tianna recorded a video thanking the contributors to Heartfelt Help Foundation who made this lodging possible. Meet the Williams Family!
“I am so grateful that we get to be part of the Heartfelt Help Foundation. This is the best opportunity that we could have been given. We are in local housing about 15 minutes from the hospital. I don’t have to stress about getting her to and from hospital appointments, therapy appointments. It’s just great, so great. And I am forever grateful to Heartfelt Help Foundation for everything you guys are doing for me and my daughter. We love you Heartfelt Help Foundation! Thank you so much!”
Read their full story here, as Tianna wrote it. It’s long yet really is a “must read.”
-The Williams Family
“We are the Washingtons. Dad is Denzel, mom is Sarah, daughter Alina who is 5, and son Adonis who is 2 years old. We are a full family of 4 expecting a plus 1 in October 2024.
Life is such a meaningful word these days after such a turmoil of experiences through the last year. On April 4, 2024, our life changed forever. Hit with unexpected news about our wonderful and spontaneous daughter Alina. We had noticed she was not herself as of late. Sadly, news came about that our sweet girl had been diagnosed with a heart disease called Restrictive Cardiomyopathy and she would have to have a heart transplant. To add on she would not be able to go home because she would need to be monitored close at the hospital and have to be put on Ventricular Assist Devices (BIVAD). . . .”
Read their full story here, as written by Denzel.
-The Washington Family
“While Axel’s journey is over, we hope that by sharing our story, we can raise awareness about the immense financial burden families endure when a child is facing a life-threatening condition. The costs are often unseen and unsung, but they are real, and they matter.”
Read Axel’s story here, as told by his mother Ly.
She lived in the hospital with him the whole time.
-Precious Axel, until we meet again . . .
“We are so incredibly grateful for the Heartfelt Help Foundation!
When our 14-year-old son Bodie suddenly needed a heart transplant, we found ourselves unexpectedly uprooted from our home in San Diego and living up in the Bay area. When Bodie was discharged from the hospital a month after receiving his new heart, it was amazing to know we had a safe space for him to recover. To have a place to stay free from germs and crowds, where he could have his own space to rest and heal, and where we could cook meals without worrying about exposing him to unnecessary germs, gave us such peace of mind.
His recovery since then has been nothing short of miraculous, and I attribute that so much to being in a quiet and peaceful environment to heal. For a 14-year-old, having an environment that replicated home was key, and thanks to HHF, we were able to do that for him! He was able to help cook meals and take long walks every day. When my husband and daughter came to visit, we had enough space for them to stay as well!
We can never thank the Heartfelt Help Foundation enough for their assistance during such a stressful time! We will always be fans of HHF!”
-The Bennett Family
Teenage HH has medical conditions so complicated that she and her mother had to move permanently across the country to Northern California so that a San Francisco Bay Area hospital could evaluate and eventually treat her. She has insurance for post-transplant temporary recovery lodging near the hospital but until her mother found Heartfelt Help Foundation, they had no one to help with finding a new home. HHF helped them find a local apartment and settle in for their new life.
Red their story here, as written by her mother.
-The S&H Family
“Facing the uncertainty of medical outcomes can be incredibly daunting. As the days spent waiting in the hospital stretch on, concerns about accommodation and financial matters can add to the stress. It’s important to stay strong for a loved one who is receiving a second chance at life with a new heart and liver. During this challenging time, I found it helpful to remember that there is hope ahead.
One bright spot in our journey was Denise from the Hartfelt Help Foundation. Her support was invaluable, alleviating some of the burdens we faced by helping us find a place to stay. Moreover, Denise took the time to visit us in the hospital, which meant a great deal to our family. We are truly grateful for everything she and the foundation have done for us. Thank you, Denise, for making a positive difference in our lives.”
-The Martinez Family
“What would someone do at the height of stress over a serious medical condition?
Wilbert had a bad heart and was very sick. We asked GOD for help. Our prayers were heard. For HE sent his angels on “persona” to help us. Medical staff, doctors, surgeons from Kaiser and Stanford Hospitals who are all specialized in cardiology got involved to help Wilbert’s heart condition.
He now has a new and healthy heart!️ We thank everyone. These Angels God sent for this miraculous healing, not just medical staff but also people who were with us at this time of healing. We thank Ms. Denise Redeker and The Heartfelt Help Foundation for being there not just for moral but also financial support, who sponsored our place to stay near the hospital for follow-up appointments and rehabilitation after heart transplant. Denise became a part of the family, whom we can reach for any questions and around for us. Thank You!!!
The Heartfelt Help Foundation’s heartfelt dedication and help to each and everyone in need makes a difference in everyone’s life they touched, like ours. More power to Ms. Denise and The Heartfelt Help Foundation!”
-The Dow Family
“Our dad’s social worker recommended we connect with Denise and the Heartfelt Help Foundation for possible assistance with post-surgery costs. To our amazement, the Heartfelt Help Foundation has not only provided financial relief, but they provided emotional support as well. Denise has provided our family comfort and reassurance during one of the most difficult times of our lives. Although words cannot express our gratitude, we hope the Heartfelt Help Foundation knows we appreciate their generous and genuine support. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
-The Leano Family
Businesses That Have Supported Heartfelt Help Foundation. Join Them Today!
