We are proud to introduce the world to an amazing new non-profit in the Pittsburgh Region, 412Thrive. Both of the co-founders have had their own breast cancer journey. And through that journey 412Thrive was born.
The organization strives to assist in the needs of each individual and bring forth a better quality of life during all stages of breast cancer treatment. Their tag line is, “We help you do more than survive. We help you thrive.” Indeed that is exactly what they do.
Their mission is to help navigate a community of individuals impacted by breast cancer and genetic mutations that lead to cancer. They strive to create a support system that makes everyone feel secure and included. They provide online and in person support, monthly gatherings, educational workshops, wellness retreats, care packages, and meals when needed. They also have a dedication to making people smile through their cancer diagnosis, treatment, and beyond. The Co-Founders Samantha Moatz and Christine Adamek
SM – 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 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. 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.
CA-In 2009 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 food, 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 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 revealed 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, as 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!
For more information check their website out at here and their Facebook Page here.
