G-PACT Marks 25 Years of Rare Disease Advocacy with Appointment of First Paid Executive Leader
Milestone hire reflects organizational maturity and renewed commitment to gastroparesis and digestive dysmotility patients nationwide
We shared the following:
ETTERS, PA — [4/17/26] — Gastroparesis Patient Association for Cures and Treatments, Inc. (G-PACT), a nonprofit dedicated to advocacy, education, and support for patients living with gastroparesis and related conditions of digestive dysmotility, today announced the appointment of Samantha Sauer as its first compensated executive leader in the organization’s 25-year history.
Samantha’s appointment to a paid executive role reflects the organization’s growth, financial stability, and long-term commitment to sustaining and expanding its impact on behalf of patients and families navigating rare and complex digestive conditions, and marks a significant turning point for G-PACT, which has operated since 2001 on the strength of volunteer leadership and deep community dedication.
In recent years G-PACT has expanded its support group offerings, completed a full year of its Surviving Out of Spite podcast, which explores life with chronic illness through honest, community-driven conversation, hosted its 3rd annual Patient Conference, offers expert-led webinars and nutrition education, and is actively developing a community program to support rare disease patients who also experience gastroparesis. The organization has simultaneously grown its medical advisory board, established a patient advisory council, and will welcome two new board members in Q2 of this year. This breadth of activity reflects an organization that has outgrown its all-volunteer model and is ready for sustained professional leadership.
Samantha brings her personal experience with gastroparesis to the role, along with a decade of public service in the nonprofit sector. As a woman living with disabilities, she embodies the patient-first mission that has defined G-PACT since its founding.
“G-PACT has never just been an organization to me; it’s been a mission I’ve poured my heart into for years. I’ve had the privilege of growing alongside this community, advocating, learning, and working to make sure patients feel seen, heard, and supported. I’m grateful, I’m committed, and I’m only getting started.” said Samantha.
“For 25 years, G-PACT has been powered entirely by volunteers,” says Director of Fundraising, Andrew Belliveau, “an accomplishment in itself. However, as someone who has been part of this community for a long time, I’ve also seen how much more is needed. Our community is asking for more awareness, better access to care and treatments, stronger advocacy, and ultimately, a cure.
“Those are ambitious goals. And reaching them takes more than just passion. It takes consistent, focused, full-time leadership. Samantha has accomplished so much for this community already as a volunteer and I cannot wait to see what lies ahead. This is just the beginning of something bigger, stronger and even more impactful for the patients, families, and medical professionals G-PACT serves”.
G-PACT serves patients living with gastroparesis, Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction, Colonic Inertia, and other conditions of digestive tract paralysis, conditions that are frequently misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and inadequately treated. The organization provides patient education, community support, quality of life programming and advocacy for increased research funding and clinical attention.
About G-PACT Gastroparesis Patient Association for Cures and Treatments, Inc. (G-PACT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in Pennsylvania. Founded in 2001 by the late Carissa Haston, G-PACT serves patients and families affected by gastroparesis and related conditions of digestive tract paralysis through education, advocacy, and community support. Learn more at g-pact.org.