Hi, I’m Mason, and I’m launching my Have a Heart campaign to raise funds and awareness for the Heart Institute at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh - a place that has become so important to me.

The “why” really comes from my visits to UPMC Children’s over the last couple of years. Spending time with the kids and their families puts a lot into perspective, especially as someone who isn’t much older than many of the patients. You see what they’re going through, but you also see their strength and resilience - something that has stayed with me long after each visit.

One of my biggest inspirations behind this campaign is a close friend of mine who passed away as a kid. His number was 63, and to honor him, I now wear number 6 while another one of our teammates wears 3 0 together carrying his legacy with us every time we take the field. Losing him made supporting Children's Hospitals incredibly personal, and in his memory, I wanted to find a way to give back and support other families facing unimaginable challenges.

As I’ve grown into a larger role at Pitt, I’ve realized I have a platform to make a difference. Knowing the Heart Institute is such a critical need at UPMC Children’s made it clear where I could have the biggest impact. Through the Have a Heart campaign, I hope to honor my friend while helping provide lifesaving care, comfort, and hope to kids and families who need it most. If this effort can make even a small difference in their journey, it’s something I’m incredibly proud to be a part of.

This fundraising effort is led by Mason Heintschel in collaboration with the Phoenixx Helsel Foundation, whose commitment supports capital construction for UPMC Children’s Heart Institute. All donations through this page advance that shared goal.