The grants will fund a nurse navigator position at Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH to help support adolescent cancer patients and provide fertility preservation services.
June 20, 2025 – The Tampa General Hospital (TGH) Foundation announced an additional combined $200,000 impact grant and regional grant from Hyundai Hope on Wheels to support the academic health system’s pediatric oncology program in the fight against childhood cancer. The grants were awarded during a check presentation Tuesday at TGH. The event was attended by system leadership, patients, physicians and members of the Tampa Bay Lightning, including team mascot ThunderBug.
Also at the event, Greg Balasco, owner of Lakeland Hyundai, announced a five-year, $2 million pledge from Balasco Family Foundation and Lakeland Hyundai to support Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH. He and wife Meredith Balasco presented a check for the first $200,000 on Tuesday.
“It’s extremely humbling for Meredith and me to have a part in taking care of young children with cancer,” Balasco said. “We appreciate the efforts of TGH, especially the physicians and care teams, in the fight against pediatric cancer. We’re excited to continue to work closely with Muma Children’s Hospital on its renovation.”
The grants will allow the Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH to support a pediatric oncology nurse navigator position and fertility preservation for children battling cancer. The nurse navigator will guide parents and patients through the treatment journey, a true source of consistent comfort during a difficult time. This specialized nurse will provide one-on-one education, coordinate care and act as a consistent liaison among families, physicians and community partners.
“I’m so thankful that Hyundai Hope on Wheels continues to support Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH with this grant,” said Nikki Hurley, interim vice president of Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH and the TGH Women’s Institute. “Their help advances the compassionate care of our young patients diagnosed with cancer.”
Dr. Ali Sanati-Mehrizy, incoming medical director of the pediatric oncology and hematology program at Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH, said the funds will support two very important causes.
“The nurse navigator will be a resource for patients and their families from the moment of diagnosis and admissions through treatment, discharge and follow-up care,” Sanati-Mehrizy said. “They will ensure that every family feels supported, informed and empowered to make the best decisions for their child.”
The regional grant specifically supports fertility preservation services for pediatric oncology patients who have reached puberty — ensuring their health and well-being beyond their cancer treatment.
“Hyundai Hope on Wheels is honored to support esteemed hospitals and institutions such as the Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH to fund research that fosters innovation and medical advancements for pediatric cancer patients,” said John Guastaferro, executive director of Hyundai Hope on Wheels. “We are grateful for the unwavering dedication and life-saving efforts that will bring us closer to a world without childhood cancer.”
This is the third year Tampa General has received Hyundai Hope on Wheels grants.
“We are so deeply grateful for the continued support of Hyundai Hope on Wheels, a partnership that was facilitated by Greg Balasco, owner of Lakeland Hyundai,” said Frann Leppla, TGH executive vice president and chief philanthropy officer. “These grants make it possible to support our youngest cancer patients in such important ways and, coupled with the personal gift from Greg and his wife, Meredith, the impact is truly transformational.”
ABOUT TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL
Tampa General Hospital, a 981-bed, not-for-profit, academic health system, is one of the largest hospitals in America and delivers world-class care as the region’s only center for Level l trauma and comprehensive burn care. Tampa General Hospital is the highest-ranked hospital in the market in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024-2025 Best Hospitals, with two medical specialties ranking among the top 20 in the nation and eight medical specialties ranking among the top 50 best hospital programs in the United States. Tampa General Hospital has been designated as a model of excellence by the 2022 Fortune/Merative 100 Top Hospitals list. The academic health system’s commitment to growing and developing its team members is recognized by three prestigious Forbes magazine rankings – in the top 100 nationally in the 2024 America’s Best Large Employers, the top 50 in Florida in the 2024 America’s Best Employers by State and the 2023 America’s Best Employers for Women. Tampa General is the safety net hospital for the region, caring for everyone regardless of their ability to pay, and in fiscal year 2023, provided a net community benefit of approximately $301.8 million in the form of health care for underinsured patients, community education, and financial support to community health organizations in Tampa Bay. It was the nation’s busiest adult solid organ transplant center in 2024 and is the primary teaching hospital for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. With five medical helicopters, Tampa General Hospital transports critically injured or ill patients from 23 surrounding counties to receive the advanced care they need. Tampa General houses a nationally accredited comprehensive stroke center, and its 32-bed Neuroscience, Intensive Care Unit is the largest on the West Coast of Florida. It also is home to the Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH, the Jennifer Leigh Muma 82-bed neonatal intensive care unit, and a nationally accredited rehabilitation center. Tampa General Hospital’s footprint includes TGH North, which is comprised of three hospitals and several outpatient locations in Citrus and Hernando counties, 17 Tampa General Medical Group Primary Care offices, TGH Family Care Center Kennedy, two TGH Outpatient Centers, TGH Virtual Health, and 19 TGH Imaging outpatient radiology centers throughout Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Palm Beach counties. Tampa Bay area residents also receive world-class care from the TGH Urgent Care powered by the Fast Track network of clinics. To see a medical care professional live anytime, anywhere on a smartphone, tablet or computer, visit Virtual Health | Tampa General Hospital (tgh.org). As one of the largest hospitals in the country, Tampa General Hospital is the first in Florida to open a clinical command center that provides real-time situational awareness to improve and better coordinate patient care at a lower cost. For more information, go to www.tgh.org.
