CoppaFeel! founder Kris Hallenga has died aged 38 after she was diagnosed with breast cancer at 23.
The campaigner, from Cornwall, was first diagnosed in 2009 with incurable secondary breast cancer and given a life expectancy of just two years.
Kris taught a generation how to make sure breast cancer is diagnosed early and accurately, while determined to face her illness head-on.
In a statement on X, CoppaFeel! said: ‘We share the sad news that our founder, boob chief, colleague, friend and queen of glittering turds, Kris, has died.
‘Kris approached life in a creative, fun and fearless way, showing us that it is possible to live life to the full with cancer.’
Kris and her twin sister Maren took their charity CoppaFeel! to huge heights – including creating checking tools, projecting onto the Houses of Parliament, and showing the first nipple on a billboard.
CoppaFeel! founder Kris Hallenga (pictured), who had stage four breast cancer, has died aged 38
The campaigner was first diagnosed in 2009 with incurable secondary breast cancer and given a life expectancy of just two years
The charity has a huge following on social media and encourages woman to check their breasts for signs of cancer.
Kris is the best-selling author of Glittering A Turd, a book which details how she discovered her life after being told she would die.
In its statement, CoppaFeel added: ‘In 2009 Kris was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer at the age of 23, after being turned away from her GP for over a year.
‘By the time she was diagnosed, it was terminal. Kris’ ambition was for no one else to find themselves in her position and so CoppaFeel! was born, to ensure breast cancers are diagnosed early and accurately.
‘Kris has reached millions of people with her message of health advocacy and empowerment, successfully campaigned for cancer education to be included in the school curriculum, won the Women of the Year Outstanding Young Campaigner award, received an Honorary Doctorate in Public Administration from Nottingham Trent University and wrote a Times Best Selling book: Glittering a Turd.
‘Kris’ life mission was that CoppaFeel! would no longer need to exist, with late diagnosis of breast cancer eradicated in her lifetime. We are committed to continuing Kris’ legacy, to ensure that everyone has the best chance of living a happy and healthy life. If you’d like to support this mission, you can donate here.’
The charity added: ‘For 15 years Kris had been living with secondary breast cancer. She hasn’t lost a battle, she wasn’t in a fight and she certainly wouldn’t want you to see her death as tragic. She was simply living. She was 38 and died with fulfilment and a heart full of love.
A post about Kris’s death was made on behalf of her cat Lady Marmalade (pictured)
Kris made a conscious decision to face her illness head-on and seize every opportunity
Kris is the best-selling author of Glittering A Turd, seen here with an advert for her book which details how she discovered her life after being told she would die
Kris, left, was initially given just two years to live but has defied the odds
‘Kris’ family have one request – for peace and privacy to allow them the time and space needed to process Kris’ death. We would like to thank our community for your love and messages of support and kindly ask that you respect the family’s wishes at this time.
‘Please remember the amazing life Kris led and the things she achieved, but above all else honour her memory by checking your chest…it could just save your life.
‘Trust your body, believe in hope, leave room for miracles.’ Kris Hallenga.
‘With love from all at CoppaFeel! HQ x.’
In May last year, Kris revealed her plan to stage a ‘living funeral’ so she could get ‘drunk on love and gratitude’ before she dies.
Next to an image of her with her cat Lady Marms, the best-selling author wrote: ‘YODO (you only die once).
‘I have done a thing. I’ve made a pretty big decision to have a living funeral, a FUNeral to be precise, before I die.
‘I want to be present at the event where my people have a thing or two to say about me, where I have the opportunity to show how much they mean to me, to be drunk on love and gratitude for having these people in my life and to toast to my rich and beautiful existence.’
Kris went on to say that she had never been to a living funeral so would be making it up as she went along, but that it had already been an ‘enormously emotional ride’ and reflected on what a privilege it was to be in this position.
