About Runi

Runi was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2005 at 28 years old. She underwent surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and hormone therapy. She was a NASA Training Project Scholar and graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of New Mexico. Runi taught sixth grade for seven years where she was the Lead Mentor Teacher Contact, Campus Teacher of the Year, RoboLab Mindstorm facilitator, Advisor of the school newspaper and Technology Team member. In 2007 she joined the Breast Cancer Resource Center as the Director of Young Survivor Services and Patient Navigator. She became a certified patient navigator through the Harold Freeman Patient Navigator Institute in New York in 2009. Since she started at the BCRC she has attended numerous conferences to further her education with a focus on young survivors to better serve the Pink Ribbon Cowgirls, a networking group for young survivors. Her training includes: The Oncology Nursing Society Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Course, Conference for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer, Innovations in Breast Cancer and the Art of Cancer Survivorship, Cure Day of Caring Breast Cancer Forum, Breast Cancer and the Next Generation: Caring for Our Children Teleconference, Living Fully with & Beyond Cancer, Life Beyond Cancer IX, Joining FORCEs Against Hereditary Cancer Conference on Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer, Genetics and the Jewish Women, LBBC The Future of Breast Cancer Care, San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium and Conference for Women Living with Advanced Breast Cancer. She has spoken with college students and various groups to educate others about breast cancer.