2019
One phone call, nine friends
A family in Somerville couldn't make the drive to treatment. Rosangel booked a field, called everyone she knew, and turned a Tuesday night into $18,000 of relief.
In memory of Rosangel Peña
Stepping up for Boston families battling cancer.
One community, two diamonds, and a season of softball that turns game-day energy into rent covered, treatment reached, and families who never play this alone.
Listen
The Story of Rosangel's Hits for Hope
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Verified impact
Small city. Long season. Real relief.
$2.4M
Raised for Boston families
Since 2019
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Families supported
Direct financial & emotional aid
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Active volunteers
Across 14 neighborhoods
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Goes directly to families
Audited annually
Honoring Rosangel's legacy
She played first base the way she cared for people.
Rosangel Peña built something that outlasted her diagnosis: a city-wide habit of catching families mid-fall. Scroll through the seasons that followed.
2021
The Hope Fund opens
Direct aid becomes a program: co-pays, parking passes, groceries, and rent covered within 72 hours of a family's request — no paperwork maze.
2023
A season, not a game
Nine neighborhood teams, two home diamonds, and a standing bench of volunteers who show up for setup, scorekeeping, and hospital visits alike.
Today
Still stepping up
Rosangel's name is on the outfield wall. Her habit — showing up early, without being asked — is on every roster.
Impact map & data hub
Where the season lands across Greater Boston.
Somerville
Dilboy Stadium
Flagship diamond · Ryan Clarke Memorial Tournament
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Tournaments hosted
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Average raised per event
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Neighborhoods served
Every figure here is reconciled by our finance committee after each tournament and published in the annual community report.
Tournament & event series
Signature events on the 2026 calendar.
Bring a roster, sponsor an inning, or work a shift. Every event funds the Hope Fund directly.
Flagship fundraiser
Hits For Hope Softball Tournament
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Dilboy Stadium · Somerville, MA
All-day bracket play, food, raffle and 50/50, and the Hope Fund check presentation to our recipient families.
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With Christopher's Haven
Holiday Party with Christopher's Haven
Saturday, December 19, 2026
Christopher's Haven · Boston, MA
Gifts, food, and an afternoon of joy for children in treatment and their families. Volunteers confirmed personally with our partner.
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Volunteer & sponsor
Future events — join the list
Dates announced each season
Greater Boston
Field prep, hospitality shifts, sponsor packages, and new family-support volunteers for everything we host next.
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Sign-up & engagement
Pick your spot on the field.
Three short steps. Tell us how you want to show up and we'll match you to a roster, a shift, or a giving plan — then confirm by phone within two business days.
- Captains get bracket details and a fundraising page.
- Volunteers choose shifts by event and neighborhood.
- Sponsors receive the current tier deck and impact report.
Step 1 of 3
How would you like to help?
Request assistance
Nominate a family for our next fundraiser.
No email, no waiting on a form. Anyone can nominate — a family member, a friend, a nurse or social worker, or the person going through it themselves.
Who we help
Families in Greater Boston facing an active cancer diagnosis — in treatment, in recovery, or caring for someone who is.
What help looks like
Direct relief from the Hope Fund: rent and utilities, groceries, treatment travel and parking, and holiday support for kids.
How requests are reviewed
Our team reviews every request privately, usually within two weeks, and contacts you before any decision is finalized.
Everything you share stays private with our small review team. We never publish a family's name or story without their written permission.
Tell us about them
Keep it short — we'll follow up for anything else we need.
Honoring loved ones
Our Family Tree of Hope
Rooted in love, growing a brighter tomorrow. Tap an empty heart to add a loved one, or a named heart to leave a note — share it on our community wall, or keep it private for your family.
The tree is waiting for its first name. Add someone you love.
Rosangel Radio
Music for the journey.
Songs written for every family walking through cancer — for the long drives, the waiting rooms, and the game days. Press play whenever you need a little more light.
"Amor, esperanza, comunidad — you'll never walk alone."
Now ready
Rosangels · Story Edition
Opens with a spoken blessing — Rosae Angeli, Rose Angels.
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Meet our team
The people growing Rosangel's Hits For Hope.
Casandra Figueroa
Founder & President
Started Hits For Hope in Rosangel's memory and leads every fundraiser.
Celina Cruz
Vice President
Name coming soon
Creative & Events Coordinator
Yamilet Ramirez
Social Media & Community Engagement Coordinator
Jelissa Burgos
Title coming soon