The RUNX1 Research Program (RRP) is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization and the only group worldwide committed to leading advocacy and advancing research for families impacted by RUNX1 familial platelet disorder (RUNX1-FPD).
At RRP, we provide personalized support to patients and their families, connecting them with healthcare professionals and researchers to enhance awareness and understanding of the disorder. Driven by patient insights and needs, our community brings together diverse perspectives to advance pioneering research in cancer prevention.
Our commitment to maximizing the impact of every dollar spent on research is demonstrated through strategic partnerships with esteemed organizations. These collaborations, including our co-funding initiatives with The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research, the EvansMDS initiative (a funding initiative of the Edward P. Evans Foundation), the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), and Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), amplify our efforts to fund vital research.
Meet The Babiches
Monica and Tim Babich founded RRP in early 2016 after discovering that RUNX1-FPD had been inherited across several generations of their family. Initially, they were the only family they knew dealing with this disorder. Since establishing RRP, they have connected with and profoundly impacted the lives of hundreds of patients and families—many of whom had previously felt isolated in their struggle or had been misdiagnosed for years with other disorders.
Tim Babich
RRP Co-Founder
Monica Babich
RRP Co-Founder & Director
Dr. Katrin Ericson, Executive Director
Dr. Ericson joined RRP as Executive Director in 2018, overseeing the organization’s overall strategy and leading all of RRP’s research programs. She brings a diverse set of experiences that span multiple sectors of the scientific and medical landscape. Most recently, she was a Medical Director at Amgen working in the Hematology/ Oncology therapeutic area. She was part of both drug development and commercialization processes, working on assets in early stage clinical trials and in life-cycle management. Prior to Amgen, Dr. Ericson was at the Prostate Cancer Foundation, where she managed their multi-million dollar scientific awards program.
Before joining PCF, Dr. Ericson completed her Ph.D. training at UCLA under the mentorship of Dr. Hanna Mikkola. Her thesis work focused on the hemogenic endothelium during embryonic development. Her research evaluated both the cellular and molecular factors that contribute to hematopoietic stem cell generation and expansion. Interestingly, she used mouse models that tracked the expression of the RUNX1 gene to identify the hemogenic endothelium.
Coming to the RUNX1 Research Program has brought her full circle. Her return to hematology has rekindled her passion for this area of research and offered an opportunity to partner with RUNX1-FPD patients directly. Dr. Ericson is devoted to building and sustaining a patient-engaged collaborative research network that will pave the way towards blood cancer interception and prevention therapies.
RRP Team Bios
Dr. Amanda Eggen
Alex Gonzalez
Catherine Pelton
Mary Silverstein
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Dr. Eggen's career is unique and, fortunately for RRP, offers the perfect blend of experiences for the role. These experiences include roles and professional education in cancer research, community engagement, patient advocacy, information technology and social and cultural psychology.
Before joining RRP, she was Research Director for the Cancer Health Disparities Initiative within the University of Wisconsin-Madison Carbone Cancer Center, directing community-engaged cancer research development with underserved populations. She led community-academic partnership development, creating forums for researchers, patients and community members to co-design research that meet the most important cancer-related needs as defined by community members.
She entered the world of cancer while completing her Ph.D. in Social and Cultural Psychology at UW-Madison, serving as her father’s advocate through his cancer journey.
She went on to train as a patient advocate – and then educate as Clinical Faculty – with the UW’s Center for Patient Partnerships. Dr. Eggen’s RRP role working with patients and clinicians on RUNX1-FPD education, awareness, research development and advocacy engages both these varied experiences and her personal passion for supporting families affected by life-changing diagnoses. -
Mixing two decades of successful fundraising experience with a passion for developing relationships with patients and their families, Alex Gonzalez is the perfect fit to help RRP secure the philanthropic support needed to advance our mission.
The recipient of a bachelor’s in Psychology from UC San Diego and an MA in Communication Studies from CSU Sacramento, Alex was most recently the Managing Director of Development at PRC, an anti-poverty nonprofit serving the City of San Francisco.
He previously served as Director of Development for the Scleroderma Research Foundation (SRF) as well, where he oversaw the Foundation’s development and communication efforts. At SRF, he also helped launch CONQUER, the first longitudinal scleroderma patient registry in the United States. -
Catherine Pelton holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Communication from Drake University. Her career began at Blank Children's Hospital, Iowa's largest children's hospital, where she served as the Public Relations and Special Events Coordinator. In this role, she managed over 500 volunteers and orchestrated the hospital's largest annual fundraising event, The Festival of Trees and Lights.
Catherine then grew her expertise in strategic communication at the advertising agency Strategic America as a Senior Account Executive. Here, she managed a diverse portfolio of clients across various industries, shaping and implementing their marketing and PR strategies. Additionally, Catherine dedicated several years of service on the Board of Directors for Central Iowa Shelter and Services, Iowa’s largest emergency homeless shelter. She spearheaded the strategic communications for a $14M capital campaign to build a new shelter.
Following a move to Seattle, Catherine assumed the role of Managing Editor/Producer for an education advocacy blog and podcast. Later, she relocated to Camarillo, California, with her husband, Christopher, and joined RRP.
Motivated by a personal commitment to cancer research following her father’s untimely death from a rare blood vessel cancer, Catherine is deeply passionate about contributing to the RUNX1 community. She is committed to leveraging her communication skills to advance RRP’s mission to prevent and ultimately eradicate blood cancer. -
Mary Silverstein – Financial Consultant
Mary joined the RRP team in Sept 2019. In close collaboration with the team, she provides ongoing financial reporting, HR support and strategic planning services.
Ms. Silverstein is the co-owner of RMG, LLC. In partnership with her husband, Richard Ginsburg, their boutique consulting firm provides Relevant Management Guidance to a core group of private and public organizations.
Previously, she was the founding CEO of a community foundation—based in San Pedro, CA—formed to mitigate environmental impacts from the Port of Los Angeles. During her tenure, the foundation awarded nearly $10 million in grants for research and projects designed to improve the health and safety of the neighboring communities. Ms. Silverstein is the recipient of the 2015 Port of Los Angeles - Angels Gate Light Award, from the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners.
A move to Florida with her spouse in 2015 prompted the formation of their consulting company.
With an MBA from UC Berkeley and a BBA from the University of Alaska, she has more than 30 years of experience in finance, non-profit management, and strategic planning.
With a personal history of cancer within her family, Ms. Silverstein is honored to support the growth of her favorite client, RRP.