Christina Muratore’s Story

Christina once described the experience of watching the show by saying,

“There is a lot of sadness, but there is also so much hope and happiness. It’s okay to have both.”

That balance has become part of Christina’s story too: grief and gratitude, memory and celebration, sadness and joy all existing together.

 

How did your own breast cancer story begin?

Breast cancer had always been top of mind for Christina. With extensive family history and Katie’s metastatic diagnosis, Christina had spent years being vigilant about self-checks, mammograms, and conversations with doctors.

She had already been working toward a preventative mastectomy to lessen her risk when, during one of those preparatory appointments, her doctor found a mass.

It turned out to be stage I breast cancer.

Christina underwent a mastectomy, and thankfully, the cancer had not spread to her lymph nodes. She did not need chemotherapy or radiation, but she began a five-year Tamoxifen protocol and continues with oncology check-ins.

As a scientist, Christina understood the importance of doing what she could to reduce the chance of recurrence.

“While I don’t love the idea of having a drug continue for five years, at least I will get those five years,” she shared at the time. “If this drug lessens the chances of recurrence, then I’ll take it.”

 

What did it mean to walk Runway for the first time?

Christina almost did not walk the runway the first time, she told us in 2025.

She had recently undergone her mastectomy. Her reconstruction was still healing, and she was not sure she would feel strong enough physically or emotionally to take the stage. But Katie had nominated her, and as sisters do, gave her the loving push she needed.

“Katie was like, ‘Come on, you should do it,’” Christina remembers. “I wasn’t sure, but I said yes.”

That night became something she still holds close.

“I’m so glad I did,” she says. “That night became a core memory.”

At the time, Christina did not know it would be Katie’s last show. Looking back, that makes the photos, hugs, laughter, and shared experience even more meaningful.

“I didn’t know it would be,” she shared. “But I’m so grateful I was there.”

 

How are you thinking about returning for Runway’s 20th anniversary?

This year, Christina is returning to the Runway stage again, and she is thinking about it through the lens of memory.

“When someone passes away, at the beginning, every day somebody’s asking about that person, or it comes up in conversation,” Christina says. “And as time goes by, those conversations happen less.”

She understands why. Life keeps moving. People get busy. Others may not know how or when to ask about grief.

But for Christina, hearing Katie’s name still matters.

“For me, it’s really nice when people remember her and her name gets brought up,” she says.

That is part of what makes returning to Runway so meaningful. It is a chance to bring Katie’s name, image, and spirit back into the room.

“It’s a great opportunity to have her name up there and her pictures again,” Christina says. “And to connect with the people that knew her so well through your events.”

 

What does the Runway community mean to your family?

Runway did not just support Katie. It supported the people who loved her.

Christina has spoken about the ripple effect of that support: when one person is cared for, the entire circle around them feels it. For her, Runway’s support meant knowing that Katie was being looked after in ways family members could not always manage alone.

That connection has continued since Katie’s passing.

Katie’s memory now lives across Runway communities, from Boston to New York to California. Models and friends continue to include photos with Katie in their own runway walks, keeping her image and spirit present in spaces she loved.

“It’s so special,” Christina says.

How has your own experience with breast cancer changed over time?

Physically, Christina is doing well. She is grateful that there is nothing new to report.

But emotionally, her experience has shifted.

In the beginning, Christina felt prepared. She had been thinking about breast cancer risk for years, and when the time came for surgery, she moved through it with focus and clarity. But after losing Katie, the emotional weight of her own diagnosis became more complicated.

She has spoken before about the delayed processing that can happen after cancer—how people may assume you are “all better” when the experience is not truly over.

“Everyone wants to say, ‘You’re good now, right?’” she shared. “And I never know how to answer. I did everything I was supposed to do. I hope I’m good. But it’s not a checkbox. It’s not over.”

That honesty remains part of Christina’s story. She knows that cancer does not touch one person alone. It echoes through sisters, parents, children, spouses, friends, and entire communities.

 

How are you keeping Katie’s legacy alive now?

Christina and her family have continued to honor Katie in ways that feel joyful, active, and true to who she was.

Recently, Christina’s brother hosted Beyond Gravel in Katie’s honor—an event that brought together a community of people funding families affected by MBC for a shared bike ride.