CoppaFeel! founder Kristen Hallenga died aged 38 following her diagnosis with breast cancer, it has been announced.
The Pride of Britain winner was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 23 in 2009. A statement from her charity reads: "We share the sad news that our founder, boob chief, colleague, friend and queen of glittering turds, Kris, has died.
"Kris was the biggest promoter of being ‘alive to do those things’. She approached life in a wildly creative, fun and fearless way, and showed us that it is possible to live life to the full with cancer.
"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.
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"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.
"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.
Kristen Hallenga (pictured with Jenny Steele) was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in 2009"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"
Kris was frank about living with cancer over the years and how the disease impacted her life. She detailed fist noticing a lump in one of her breasts when she was 22, but was not aware of how long it had been there.
Kris Hallenga was a passionate health campaigner (The Daily Mirror)
Kristen Hallenga at the Pride of Britain awards in 2009 (Daily Mirror)The health advocate explained she initially downplayed her symptoms. "I very much downplayed my symptoms because that’s what we do, isn’t it? I was like, 'Oh, it’s fine. I thought I’d mention it, but I’m really not worried.' It was that typically British behaviour of apologising and backing out of the door because I didn’t want to waste their time," she previously said.
When Kris was told she had stage 4 breast cancer, she admitted it "didn't feel real" and that she did not know how it had been possible. "The doctors seemed as shocked as I was about it, which is confusing, because they’re the experts and know that breast cancer can happen at any age," Kris added.
Tributes poured in for Kris following the announcement of her death. A post from Kris' Instagram page, written as though it were from her cat Lady Marmalade, said: "Whilst I’m sad that I no longer get to cuddle her and that she’s no longer here to feed me, I want you to know that I will be ok. I’ve lots of lovely human friends looking after me. There’s one that looks and sounds just like Kris. She will do.
"I know to you she was the Queen of Turd Glittering. To me she was a perfect companion. For 15 years she has 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 she died with fulfilment and a heart full of love.
CoppaFeel! founder Kris Hallenga has died aged 38 (CoppaFeel!)"Her final message from her to you would be one that probably involved checking your chest, getting in some cold water, talking more about death and dying, that even the turdiest of turds are glitterable, that you should always see the silly side of life, that she loved her life and that giving Neighbours 2.0 is worth another chance."
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Last year, Dawn French reprised her Vicar of Dibley role her her beloved friend's "living funeral" last year. They celebrated Kris' "extraordinary life" and the comedian, as character Geraldine Granger, delivered a touching eulogy.
The living funeral was organised sot the CoppaFeel! founder could be "drunk on love and gratitude" for the people who surround her and celebrated her life. "So much love filling @trurocathedral. It was her own festival celebrating an extraordinary life. What a total babe," French said in a social media post.
According to the NHS, there are a number of breast cancer symptoms that women should be aware of, which include:
- A lump, or swelling in your breast, chest or armpit
- A change in the skin of your breast, such as dimpling (may look like orange peel) or redness (may be harder to see on black or brown skin)
- A change in size or shape of 1 or both breasts
- Nipple discharge (if you are not pregnant or breastfeeding), which may have blood in it
- A change in the shape or look of your nipple, such as it turning inwards (inverted nipple) or a rash on it (may look like eczema)
- Pain in your breast or armpit which does not go away – breast pain that comes and goes is usually not a symptom of breast cancer
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