Lauren Runquist, Co-Chair
Lauren became a part of A Breath of Hope Lung Foundation YLB board in 2024, Sheila Runquist was diagnosed with Stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer in January of 2021. She fought a great fight of Chemotherapy, Radiation and Clinical trials but was taken from us July of 2025. It had spread to her brain and lymph nodes.
Lauren is an Academic Advisor at Iowa State University. She was an athletic trainer for five years. She holds a degree from Iowa State University and a master’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University.
She was attending A Breath of Hope event when she found YLB. She wanted to do more and give back and help other families not go through the pain and suffering of watching a family member fight cancer.
Fun Fact: Lauren loves to work out! She loves to lift weights, go on lots of walks and when she lived in Kentucky, hiking. Her life goal is to travel to all 50 states, she is currently at 41. Another fun fact is that all of her family’s animals are named after food! Her cats are marble cake and chocolate mousse.
Peter Runquist, Co-Chair
Peter Runquist, is a Sales Manager at SportsEngine with a background in finance and economics. He earned his undergraduate degree from Concordia College and holds a master’s degree in education. Peter brings a strong focus on leadership, relationship-building, and community engagement to his work.
Peter’s dedication to helping others is deeply personal. His mother passed away in July of 2025 following a courageous battle with lung cancer, and her strength continues to inspire his efforts to raise awareness and support for families facing similar challenges. He firmly believes in the power of compassion and community to bring hope during life’s most difficult moments.
Outside of work, Peter enjoys spending time with his wife, their daughter Sofia, and their two dogs, Emma and Asiago. He is honored to support the ABOH mission, motivated by family, service, and a commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by cancer.
Christina Everling
Christina Everling is an attorney and yoga instructor. She graduated from UIC Law (formerly the John Marshall Law School) in 2019 and completed her yoga teacher certification in 2025. Christina enjoys practicing/teaching yoga, playing board games, and participating in puzzle competitions.
Christina became involved with A Breath of Hope after her mother, Julie Everling, was diagnosed with lung cancer. Julie, a non-smoker, was formally diagnosed with lung cancer in 2010. She fought the disease and stigma until her passing in 2020. Julie was active with ABOH, attending support groups, helping with events, and sharing her story. Christina is proud to honor her mom’s legacy by serving on the Young Leaders Board. As a YLB member, she looks forward to increasing lung cancer awareness, destigmatizing the disease, and supporting those affected by it.
Fun Fact: Christina is a Reiki Master
Pets: Christina does not have any pets, but is a plant parent
Least Favorite Food: Asparagus
Gracie George
Gracie is a seasoned professional with over 12 years of experience in the risk and compliance space within the financial industry. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Penn State and a Master’s in Legal Studies, specializing in regulatory compliance, from the University of Illinois. Currently, Gracie works as a consultant, leveraging her expertise to help clients navigate complex regulatory challenges.
Gracie has always been passionate about the fight against cancer, but her commitment became even more personal after losing her Aunt to lung cancer December 2023. This loss was compounded when her father was diagnosed with stage 2 non-small cell lung cancer in early 2024. He is currently undergoing treatment, and thanks to his amazing doctors and advancements in medical science, Gracie is optimistic about his recovery.
Gracie is particularly dedicated to raising awareness about lung cancer, with a focus on early signs and detection. Neither her aunt nor her father were smokers, which has inspired her to advocate for better education around the disease and the importance of early diagnosis. She is committed to supporting initiatives that improve outcomes for patients and families affected by lung cancer.
In her free time, Gracie enjoys reading, traveling, and spending quality time with her friends and family. Her least favorite foods are pickles and anything with curry.
Nicole Pyka
Nicole discovered A Breath of Hope in 2022 when her mom was unexpectedly diagnosed with Stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer. A healthy non-smoker, her mom’s symptoms began with sudden vision loss—later revealing that she needed brain surgery. Nicole’s mom is still currently battling the disease and her family remains hopeful and optimistic about her recovery.
Throughout this journey, the ABOH community has been a steady source of hope and strength for her mom and family. Inspired by their support, Nicole is passionate about raising awareness for lung cancer, especially the importance of early screenings and education—regardless of smoking history.
Nicole is a tax accountant in Minneapolis, specializing in estate, trust and gift taxes. She enjoys spending time hiking and hammocking with her husband, Joseph, as well as reading and finding cute coffee shops.
