When nursing student Thomas Genzale Jr. '25 met with Regis alumna Courtney Horvath '06, PhD, DABT, they had no idea it would lead to such a transformative partnership. Not only did they share a Regis connection, but also a deeply rooted passion for pediatric oncology. What started as a conversation over coffee quickly evolved into a shared mission to support families battling childhood cancer. Their collaboration embodies the Regis spirit of service, proving that meaningful change happens when passionate individuals come together for a common cause.
Regis has always stood out for its profound commitment to helping others. Ask any student, alum, faculty, or staff member, and they'll share the same belief—compassion, advocacy, and service are at the heart of the Regis mission.
"These values were instilled in me during my time at Regis,” says Horvath. “They have shaped my work in pediatric oncology advocacy, allowing us to make a meaningful impact on the families we serve." 
This strong foundation of service is what connected Genzale and Horvath. After surviving cancer himself, Genzale co-founded HeartFelt Connections (HFC) in the spring of 2024, a nonprofit dedicated to alleviating emotional, physical, and financial stressors for families navigating a pediatric oncology diagnosis.
"As a survivor, I experienced firsthand the challenges of treatment, particularly social isolation during the pandemic," says Genzale. "HFC aims to provide personalized support, from hospital cafeteria and parking coupons to holiday-specific assistance and therapeutic activities."
Now in his senior year at Regis, Genzale continues to seize opportunities through speaking at alumni events and gaining hands-on experience through impressive internships at Moderna, Mass General Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Brigham and Women’s/Harvard Medical School.
Horvath is a leading toxicologist who serves as the Head of Global Strategy, Operations and Portfolio Delivery for Translational Medicine at Novartis. Her connection to pediatric oncology became deeply personal when her son, Colby, was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2020. This experience fueled her passion for advocating for safer and more innovative treatments for childhood cancer.
After watching Horvath's TEDx Talk, Surviving The Cure, Genzale reached out, and their initial conversation quickly turned into a mentorship.
"Thomas' enthusiasm and dedication as an aspiring healthcare provider were inspiring," says Horvath. "His boundless energy and determination stood out to me, and we stayed in touch as he pursued many of the opportunities we discussed."
It became clear that their shared commitment to pediatric healthcare could lead to something significant, and together, they set out to create lasting change.
Spreading Hope Through Operation Colby Claus
December 2024 marked the fifth year of Operation Colby Claus, an initiative started by Horvath's son, Colby, to collect toys for families at the oncology clinic. As the initiative grew beyond what the Horvath family could manage alone, Horvath partnered with Genzale's HeartFelt Connections to amplify their impact.
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The most rewarding part of working together on Operation Colby Claus is the ability to support families battling childhood cancer when they need it most," says Horvath.
Last winter, Colby Claus and HFC joined forces to bring holiday cheer to families at the Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital. This heartwarming fundraiser provided Christmas gifts for 10 families, fulfilling every item on their wish lists. In addition, they raised nearly $5,000 in gift cards, helping to brighten the holiday season for families facing difficult challenges.
"I will never forget the moment when Colby and I delivered the toys," says Genzale. "Seeing months of hard work come to life was incredibly emotional. Giving back to these kids was my inspiration throughout chemotherapy, and being able to do it alongside a fellow survivor made it even more meaningful."
Capturing Moments: The Pablove Shutterbugs Initiative
Horvath has long partnered with the Pablove Foundation, a nonprofit that enhances the lives of children with cancer through the arts and funds cutting-edge pediatric cancer research. Last summer, she introduced Genzale to their Shutterbugs Initiative, a nationwide photography program for children battling cancer.
This connection led to Genzale coaching aspiring photographers—all pediatric cancer patients, including Colby Horvath—during a New England Revolution soccer game. The children captured sideline photographs, which were later auctioned at Gillette Stadium to raise funds for pediatric cancer research, with all proceeds benefiting the Pablove Foundation.
"Being an instructor for five of the strongest kids in the world was an incredible honor," says Genzale. "As an amateur photographer with a background in oncology, this program felt like a perfect fit. I'm committed to continuing my partnership with Pablove, their Shutterbugs Program, and supporting pediatric cancer research."
This experience further solidified Horvath and Genzale’s partnership and opened new doors for collaboration in research and advocacy.
From Mentorship to Research Collaboration
Through support from her community, Horvath has helped fund two "Powered by Pablove" research grants in Colby's name (#ColbyStrong), including one with Dr. Inga Schaefer's lab at Brigham and Women's/Harvard Medical School.
Through this connection, Genzale secured an internship at Dr. Inga Shaefer’s lab, gaining valuable experience in cancer research. He studied tumor growth and development and researched potential treatments for complex cancers, with his findings shared in poster sessions and publications.
"The opportunity to work on real-world cancer research was an invaluable experience," says Genzale. "Being able to apply what I've learned in the classroom to groundbreaking research is something I'll carry with me throughout my career."
As a leader in her field, Horvath recognizes the immense impact that mentorship and experiential learning can have on the next generation.
"When I was a student at Regis, I had the opportunity to intern in a biotech lab. It played a pivotal role in launching my career. That hands-on exposure helped me bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry application, sparking a passion that has guided me ever since."
Continuing the Legacy of Service
By connecting students with the right people, Horvath helps ensure that they are equipped with the mentorship and real-world experience they need to excel in competitive fields.
"These types of opportunities for Regis students help them gain the same kind of transformative experiences—ensuring they have the skills, confidence, and vision to drive innovation forward and make a positive impact in the world!" says Horvath.
The partnership between Genzale and Horvath exemplifies the power of the Regis community, where service and connection create opportunities.
As Genzale prepares to graduate in May 2025, their work together serves as a reminder of how the values instilled at Regis continue to inspire meaningful change in the world.