Columbine community tragedy as school shooting survivor dies of cancer: 'She was a light in the darkness'

The Columbine community has rallied together after a school shooting survivor tragically died of cancer. 

Karissa Rund, 40, died on March 3 after a 10-year-long battle with stage 4 colon cancer. 

She survived the terrifying school shooting in 1999 when Eric Hanes and Dylan Klebold opened fire inside the Colorado high school cafeteria, killing 12 and injuring more than 20 before killing themselves in the upstairs library. 

Karissa, also known as a 'super-survivor,' not only made it out alive from the horrific mass shooting and dealt with cancer for all those years, but was also a widow to her first husband Greg Rund, who lost his life in combat as a Marine in 2004. 

Greg, who was Karissa's high school sweetheart, was tragically killed on December 11 that year by an enemy attack in Fallujah, Iraq. 

She then got engaged to Doug Rund, Greg's brother. It was during that time that she was first diagnosed with cancer. 

Doug and Karissa were inseparable and always there for each other, according to their friends. 

Sarah Beth Buck, a friend of the couple, said Karissa was 'the biggest encourager most of us have ever known,' adding:  'Her mission of service to people, proclaiming the hope of God despite pain and suffering, and being a light despite darkness - this legacy has changed her corner of the world.' 

Sarah also noted just how much the couple supported each other through all the ups and downs.  

'Doug, day-in and day-out, selflessly and unwaveringly served Karissa in her sickness. If you had the privilege to witness their love, you are changed because of it,' Sarah wrote on a GoFundMe page. 

'He tenderly and attentively cared for her every need, noticing the little details, knowing just how she wanted/liked things.' 

Sarah said it didn't matter what time of day it was, Doug was always by Karissa's side - even through the toughest of times. 

'He rolled up his sleeves and served her faithfully with vulnerable medical procedures. He cooked, he cleaned, he shopped, he organized their life.

'He played with her, delighted in her, celebrated her, encouraged her, and stayed by her side through every turn of their story together.' 

Before she passed, Karissa expressed to Sarah and her other friends that she was worried about Doug after she had gone. 

'Doug was Karissa's safe place. In her final days, she would often share that her greatest concern was that of Doug. Would he be taken care of? Would people come alongside of him?,' Sarah wrote. 

'Yes, babe. We're here. We're ALL here.' 

As of Sunday afternoon, more than $4,200 was raised to help support Doug during this hard time. 

Buck said the donation page is also a way to help shed light on the amazing person Karissa was. 

Karissa was no stranger to cancer as her mother tragically passed away when she was just 11-year-old - a few years before the school shooting. 

She also had an extraordinary career, working as a speechwriter and public affairs specialist for the Department of Energy, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Department of Homeland Security, according to her obituary. 

After the cancer took over, Karissa medically retired from her job, and decided to go down a different career path by starting a 'non-profit ministry to aid, inspire, and doula all suffering people.' 

She became an end-of-life doula, helping others in the hospital, Buck explained. 

'She was so sick when she started to pursue this, but was so passionate about walking end of life with other people, even while she was walking her own end of life,' Buck told KDVR. 

Kellie Miller, who met Karissa through their church, also attested to how supportive Doug was of her. 

'Doug is just a magnificent human being. He remained positive, but also like dignified her in making her medical decisions,' Kellie told the outlet. 

'Never once like forced her to do anything that she didn’t want to do.' 

A visitation service was held for Karissa on Thursday, followed by her funeral on Friday. 

Karissa often spoke of and posted about her experience being a victim of the school shooting. In 2019, she posted a picture of her in the gymnasium of the school on the 20th anniversary of the tragedy. 

'20 years ago today I ran for my life at Columbine High School. I haven’t taken a day for granted since then. Don’t take yours for granted either. You’re here for a reason,' she wrote.  

News of Karissa's death comes almost a month after another Columbine survivor sadly passed away. 

Anne Marie Hochhalter died of natural causes on February 16 in her home at the age of 43, former Columbine Principal Frank DeAngelis confirmed.

Hochhalter was shot twice in the back and chest in 1999 during the shooting. She was left paralyzed from the waist down and wheelchair-bound.

Since her life-alternating injury, Hochhalter spent much of her life advocating for other victims of mass shootings.

'She was a pillar of strength for me and so many others. She was an inspiration and exemplified never giving up,' he told The Denver Gazette. 

When the shooting broke out, Hochhalter was enjoying lunch with her friends. When she heard the first bullets, she thought students were shooting paintball guns.

But that changed when one pierced her back, leaving her unable to use her legs to run away. A friend had to drag her away, but she would be hit again in the lungs.

The pair managed to get outside, where Hochhalter would spend 45 minutes struggling to breathe as she lay on the ground.

Once they were found by first responders, she was transported to the hospital and went into a four-hour surgery, according to The Gazette.

Hochhalter struggled with trauma from the tragedy for years, but did attend the 25th anniversary vigil of the shooting.