412Thrive Board Members

Samantha Moatz

Samantha Moatz

Co-Founder

Samantha Moatz is a co-founder of 412Thrive, an advocate for ALL breast cancer fighters, and a super mom to two of the most special kids to ever exist.

Christine Adamek

Christine Adamek

Co-Founder

In 2009 on on her birthday, 412Thrive Cofounder founder Christine Adamek received the news that none ever wants to hear: “you have cancer.”

Cara Nash Snyder

Cara Nash Snyder

Board Member

Hello! My name is Cara Nash Snyder. I reside in the South Hills of Pittsburgh with my husband Jeremy and our two ...

Bev Cwalina

Bev Cwalina

Board Member

My name is Bev Cwalina. I am a wife and mother of two 20-something sons. I was first diagnosed with very early ...

Kevin Stemmler

Kevin Stemmler

Board Member

I taught college English (writing/film/gender/British literature) for thirty-two years. I was a faculty ...

Christina Casciato

Christina Casciato

Board Member

Hi! My Name is Christina Casciato and I joined the board of 412Thrive because my dad battled cancer and underwent ...

Therese Holzapfel

Therese Holzapfel

Board Member

Before joining 412Thrive, I volunteered with Reading for the Cure, an organization at my alma mater that ...

Tara Lang

Tara Lang

Board Member

Although I am not myself a cancer survivor, several family members have battled and are still battling the disease.

In 2009 on on her birthday, 412Thrive Cofounder founder Christine Adamek received the news that none ever wants to hear: “you have cancer.” Christine was the picture-perfect image of health: working out daily, practicing yoga and meditation and even adopting a whole foods, vegetarian diet lifestyle. Christine found a lump while showering and called her Doctor who scheduled a mammogram and Biopsy, which later confirmed her diagnosis of a rare non- hormonal for of breast cancer called Triple Negative.

After a whirlwind of tests it was decided that adjacent chemotherapy, surgery and radiation with a slew of clinical trial drugs were needed. Christine was also told the heartbreaking news of that if she survived cancer she would have to wait several years to start a family and that her fertility would could be compromised. At twenty seven years of age Christine was scared, afraid and felt alone.

For many years after treatment Christine battled with anxiety and depression all the while struggling with fertility. Six years after treatment Christine and her husband were blessed with two beautifully free spirited twins. Christine had thought that the hardest part of her cancer journey was behind her, she was ready to enjoy life with her new family when three days after the birth of her children she was diagnosed with postpartum cardiomyopathy , a rare pregnancy-induced form of heart failure that she may or may not recover from due to her history of chemotherapy. Further Testing also reviled that she had nodules on her lungs that needed to be monitored for the next two years to make sure that her cancer had not metastasized. Christine was left yet again with feelings of fear and loneliness.

Persistence and patience are just a few ideals that Christine has learned to navigate through her cancer Journey. Because when you are a cancer patient you have no choice but to live life with both. Christine is beyond grateful to have recovered from Postpartum cardiomyopathy and has no evidence of disease.

Christine was ecstatic when she meet co-founder Samantha Moatz, they both shared the same feeling of fear and isolation that their cancer journey brought them and decided to start the organization 412Thrive together. They wanted to form an inclusive group to help Breast cancer patience of all ages not just survive cancer but to live life to the fullest and THRIVE! And by doing so through fun monthly wellness events, individualized care packages, and meal plans. Through out ones cancer journey and beyond.

Samantha Moatz is a co-founder of 412Thrive, an advocate for ALL breast cancer fighters, and a super mom to two of the most special kids to ever exist. In October of 2010, at the young age of 23, Samantha found a lump in her right breast and within a month was diagnosed with stage 1b 100% estrogen positive breast cancer. She had no family history and no genetic mutations, so she is living proof that cancer can happen to anyone at any time and at any age. Samantha was a true warrior during her entire fight. She underwent a lumpectomy, did thirty-six rounds of radiation, and started a ten year run of a drug called tamoxifen. Her body did not respond well to tamoxifen, so after a year and a half she decided to stop taking it and underwent a double mastectomy. This was not the end of the fight, not by a long shot. She has had to fight multiple infections and will most likely continue to do so.

Samantha celebrated ten years cancer free on October 28, 2020. She commemorated this with other cancer survivors, including her 90 year old grandmother, which just goes to show that you can beat cancer at any age. Samantha also celebrated with her husband Marc and their two beautiful babies. She realizes how lucky she is to have the kind of love and support that her family provides.

Samantha knows that being cancer free doesn’t mean that the battle is over; there is a price to pay physically, emotionally, and financially. This was the catalyst for co-founding 412Thrive with fellow breast cancer survivor, Christine. Their nonprofit provides support for individuals affected by breast cancer and genetic mutations. Samantha knew the importance of connecting with other Thrivers because that was exactly what she had been missing until she met Christine in 2019. They were both shocked to find out that they were diagnosed less than a year apart and were both from Pittsburgh and yet they had never met. They knew that other Thrivers needed to feel the same support that they were able to provide for one another. They often joke that 412Thrive is like a dating service, in that it provides a space for Thrivers to meet their significant other in the breast cancer world. Samantha hopes to continue to connect Thrivers through hosting events, setting up meal deliveries, sending personalized care packages, or even dressing up as a giraffe to make a cancer fighter laugh.

Hello! My name is Cara Nash Snyder. I reside in the South Hills of Pittsburgh with my husband Jeremy and our two sons, Hansi, 5 and Jesse, 2. We also have our ‘ol lady lab’ Mocha, who is 12.5. Our lives are beautifully messy but full of love.

I joined the board of 412 Thrive because I really believed in their mission and their desire to help others THRIVE during what may be the most difficult time of their lives. 412 Thrive goes above and beyond to personalize and cater to the needs of their members. The amount of thought and effort that goes into what each individual needs at the current moment is invaluable. Average or standard does not apply. Christine and Sam both live super busy lives, each with young children, yet know exactly what time you are going into chemo on Tuesday and what your favorite scents are. They really get to know each of their members on such a personal level. The community and friendships that have evolved since 412 Thrive was born is incredible! The connections are real and deep.

I met Sam at a support group for another local organization (YWBCAF) and we instantly became friends. Soon after, she invited me to a super fun, social event at her home. That evening, I got to meet Christine, a fellow TNBC Survivor of 10 years. I was diagnosed with early stage TNBC in July of 2018 and then diagnosed with brain metastasis in July of 2019. Christine and Sam have been so supportive of my journey and are always there for me during both my high and low points.

When I heard that they were starting a non-profit, I was more than excited for them! I knew they would be successful and put their hearts and souls into it. I immediately wanted to find ways to help them. I believed in them and knew their efforts, drive and passion would turn into something so much bigger. I am so very proud of them!

I provided them with their very first monetary donation and supplies for making care packages. Chatting with Sam one night, I helped name the organization and also was able to connect them with a graphic designer to get their logo designed pro bono. For me, it felt so good to be part of something that helps other young THRIVERS get through their journeys while feeling supported along the way. I have been so extremely lucky with the amount of support I have been shown since my diagnosis and I really wanted to pay that forward

Once they were official, the universe aligned. I was hanging out with Sam and another THRIVER and I asked, “How do I get on the Board” and Sam’s response was “OMG, Christine and I were going to ask you tomorrow if you would like to join our Board?!” I am honestly so honored to part of this organization for Metastatic Outreach.

I plan to help others THRIVE while living with Stage 4 cancer, so they can continue to live and love each of their days. To help them find resources and connect them with people that understand what they are going through. 412 Thrive also supports the families of those with metastatic cancer. We aren’t just a group for those in early stage treatment. We are here to support previvors, survivors, thrivers, caregivers and those grieving the loss of loved ones.

My name is Bev Cwalina. I am a wife and mother of two 20-something sons. I was first diagnosed with very early-stage breast cancer in May 2015. After I had a lumpectomy and 33 radiation treatments, I thought that was the end because no type of cancer runs in my family. I chose to seclude myself and live my life as if cancer had never existed for me.

Three years after my initial cancer, I was diagnosed with stage IIIb triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) in May 2018. TNBC is a rare, fast growing form of cancer. Although a TNBC diagnosis is scary, I knew that God had a plan for my life and I needed to seek out other cancer survivors to support me and whom I could, in turn, encourage with my story.

My TNBC tumor was in the scar tissue of my initial breast cancer, so by the time it was discovered in May 2018, it was very large (8cm x 8cm). I went through aggressive chemotherapy and had a single mastectomy followed by reconstruction. In 2019, while taking Xeloda, a chemotherapy pill commonly given to TNBC patients to hopefully prevent recurrence, I developed an infection and lost my implant. Previously radiated skin often has trouble healing, and my incision did not heal for seven months. I had my first colonoscopy in February 2019 and they discovered a large lipoma (non-cancerous tumor) in my transverse colon. This caused an intussuscepted bowel which required emergency surgery in December 2019. In Fall 2019, a large nodule in my thyroid was discovered and I was told it was probably caused by no thyroid shield being used during radiation in 2015. In May 2020, the growing nodule and half of my thyroid were removed.

Throughout all the heartbreaking health struggles that go along with a cancer diagnosis, I have met amazing women and men because I opened myself up to the love and support of others. I met fellow board member, Cara Snyder, at a support group and she encouraged me to sign up for Camp Breastie. Cara invited me to a get-together at Sam Moatz’s house to connect with other women going to camp. I didn’t realize that this was the inaugural event of 412Thrive!

In John 16:33, Jesus says “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Cancer has given me many troubles, but I have peace in my life no matter what happens due to my faith in Jesus Christ. I have been blessed to connect with fellow cancer survivors to share peace, joy, and support. I consider being on the Board of 412Thrive an honor and look forward to using my professional skills as a former non-profit Executive Director to help 412Thrive succeed at their mission to support those affected by breast cancer and genetic mutations.