Jennessa Raval, founder of Heart 2 Heart. (Credit: Courtesy of Heart 2 Heart)
Connecting Children with Chronic Conditions to a Pen-Pal Community
Jennessa Raval’s has created a supportive network that helps kids battling ongoing illness find and connect with each other.
Jennessa Raval grew up hearing stories from family members who had spent portions of their earliest years in the hospital, while undergoing treatments for various chronic conditions. Raval learned through these conversations how isolating the experience can be, and told us how “that stuck with me – and made me and me want to build a safe space where kids can write letters, share stories and feel seen.” This year, the North Brunswick, New Jersey-based entrepreneur created that safe haven for kids herself by launching Heart 2 Heart, a nonprofit organization connecting kids with chronic conditions through a pen-pal network. In addition to helping kids feel less alone as they receive treatment, Raval also hosts events, provides educational resources for families, and raises funds for local hospitals to help them improve their long-term care programs.
Here’s our lightly edited Q&A, from The Story Exchange 1,000+ Stories Project.
How is your business different from others in your industry?
We create a true sense of belonging through our pen pal initiative, where kids with chronic conditions are carefully matched with peers who share similar journeys. This connection helps them realize they are not alone in their struggles. By connecting, they find and bond with someone who truly understands the ups and downs, fears and hopes that come with living with a chronic illness. These friendships, built through heartfelt letters, become a lifeline of comfort and courage. Parents also find a community where they can share their fears, exchange advice, and support with one another without judgment.
Beyond the letters, our events bring families out of isolation and into spaces filled with laughter, hope and shared strength. By focusing on authentic relationships and emotional healing, we fill a void that traditional medical support programs often overlook. Our mission is not just to help families manage illness but to help them find joy, resilience and a real sense of community.
Tell us about your biggest success so far.
All of our events. Our very first, called Heart 2 Heart Day, brought over 80 families together. At the event, attendees made heartfelt cards, crafted bracelets, painted colorful rocks and donated items – all of which we gifted to a children’s hospital to brighten the days of kids who are still fighting their own battles.
One of the most touching moments at this event came when a young boy carefully made a card to donate to a child with a chronic condition – a child he had never met. He told me he wanted to share hope and let that child know they weren’t alone. Watching him put so much care and kindness into that card reminded me how powerful small acts of connection can be. That card wasn’t just paper – it was a lifeline of comfort and friendship. A parent told me afterward that seeing her child express empathy and feel part of something bigger gave her a sense of peace she hadn’t felt in a long time.
What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?
Scaling up to reach more families. Right now, I’m focused on connecting with hospitals and community groups, because partnering with them can help us grow our program and increase outreach in a meaningful way.
Marketing is another challenge – specifically, getting more people to hear about the program and encouraging them to join. I’m working on this by improving our social media presence, creating targeted outreach efforts through schools and healthcare providers, and generally trying to connect with the right audience – people who will both benefit from and contribute to our community.
What is your biggest tip for other startup entrepreneurs?
Be patient, and stay deeply connected to why you started your project – even when things get tough or progress feels slow. When I started, I thought I had to have everything figured out right away. But I quickly learned that building real connections with families, partners and volunteers takes time and patience.
Related
How do you find inspiration on your darkest days?
What helps me is thinking about the reason I started up in the first place. I remember the smiles on kids’ faces when they talk to someone who understands them, or the relief in a parent’s voice when they say they finally feel seen. Those moments remind me that even if the progress feels slow, it’s still meaningful.
What is your go-to song to get motivated on tough days?
“Me Vs Me” by Moneybagg Yo.
Who is your most important role model?
Nick Vujicic. Born without arms and legs because of a rare condition, Nick has faced challenges that most people can’t imagine, yet he chooses every day to live with courage, hope and purpose. I’ve struggled with chronic migraines for years, a pain so intense that sometimes I feel trapped in my own body, unable to fully participate in the world around me. Like Nick, my condition affects how I live my life and how others understand me, which can sometimes feel lonely and difficult.
What inspires me most about Nick is how he refuses to let his challenges define his life, or limit his dreams. Instead, he transformed his struggles into a mission to help others feel seen, valued and strong. From him, I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about never feeling pain or fear – it’s about facing those feelings with bravery, and using them to fuel hope and connection. ◾️
Instagram: @heart2heartprogram
Facebook: @heart2heart
Check out our Advice + Tips for entrepreneurs starting-up
Watch our latest videos
Subscribe to our podcast