It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that our dear author and friend Kris Hallenga has died.

At the age of twenty-three Kris was diagnosed with Stage 4, secondary, incurable cancer, after being repeatedly turned away by her GP for over a year. She and her twin sister Maren founded the first breast cancer education charity, CoppaFeel!, which has spread its message about checking your boobs to millions of people, and has saved many lives.

In a statement, CoppaFeel! said:

“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’s 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 bestselling book: Glittering a Turd.

“Kris’s 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’s 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.”

Kris led an amazing life and leaves behind her an incredible legacy. She was pure magic, and sunshine, and pushed boundaries in all the best possible ways. In her own words she said: “Trust your body, believe in hope, leave room for miracles.” We will miss her very much.

Photo credit: Jenna Foxton