CoppaFeel! founder Kris Hallenga, who has sadly died at the age of 38, inspired countless people.
A prominent campaigner for breast cancer awareness, Kris threw herself into life at every opportunity, and is said to have 'died with fulfilment and a heart full of love'.
Having lived with breast cancer for 15 years, after being diagnosed in 2009 at just 23, the Pride of Britain winner was forced to face up to her mortality at a devastatingly young age.
In a column penned for the Mirror, Kris spoke frankly about the time a student asked her a 'curveball question' regarding her fears over death. She responded in a typically powerful way.
Kris previously spoke candidly about her thoughts on death (Getty Images)Kris wrote: "It takes someone quite brave to ask someone with cancer if they are scared. So it's no surprise that a young American student,who was in the audience at a talk I gave last week threw me that curveball.
Tennis great Martina Navratilova diagnosed with throat and breast cancer
"And I wasn't really sure what to say other than to ask 'Of what?'. Because it could have been anything, couldn't it? The weather? The bogeyman? The dark?"
She continued: "Well, of course, the student wanted to know whether having incurable cancer makes me live in fear – and by that she of course meant the D word – dying, just in case you didn't get that.
"And the answer to that is simply no. Because really, that would be quite tiresome and I'd soon get bored of thinking I was going to croak it before I even get the chance to sprout grey hairs. Even if this is true, why does it have to rule my life today?"
Kris refused to 'live in fear' (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
She chose to say goodbye to Instagram followers via her beloved cat, Lady Marmalade (Instagram)A statement released by her Coppafeel! charity outlined many of Kris' admirable qualities, remembering her as somebody who '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."
The statement, which outlines many of her incredible achievements, reads as follows: "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 the charity 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," the charity said.
"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.
"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"
Wimbledon legend Navratilova, 66, diagnosed with throat and breast cancer
The campaigner leaves behind an extraordinary legacy (Getty Images)Another touching post shared via Kris' Instagram was written from the perspective of her beloved cat, Lady Marmalade. The caption, shared alongside a sweet snap of Lady M, read: "Dearest followers of my human, Kris. It's Lady Marmalade here. I wanted to share the sad news with you all that my favourite person in the whole world has died.
"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.
"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. Thank you for your love and support. Lady M X".
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