CoppaFeel! founder Kris Hallenga dies aged 38 from breast cancer

Kris Hallenga, the founder of the breast cancer awareness charity CoppaFeel!, has died at the age of 38. Hallenga, who was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer 15 years ago, dedicated her life to encouraging millions of women to regularly check their breasts.

Diagnosed at 23 after being turned away by her GP for over a year, Hallenga became a tireless advocate for early breast cancer detection. Her friend, broadcaster and author Fearne Cotton, described her as someone who “lived more fully than I’ve ever seen anyone live.”

Under Hallenga’s leadership, CoppaFeel!’s mission was to educate young people about breast cancer to ensure early diagnoses that could potentially save lives. In a statement confirming her passing, the charity praised Hallenga for approaching life with creativity, fun, and fearlessness, and noted that she passed away with fulfillment and a heart full of love.

Aside from her charity work, Hallenga was a columnist at The Sun and authored the best-selling book “Glittering a Turd,” chronicling her life after being told she had a terminal illness. In 2014, a BBC Three documentary titled “Kris: Dying to Live” shed light on her journey and advocacy.

Last year, Hallenga organized a living funeral, attended by celebrities including Dawn French, at Truro Cathedral. French, who played her Vicar of Dibley character Geraldine Granger at the event, described it as “phenomenal.”

Hallenga’s decision to have a living funeral was driven by her desire to be present and express gratitude for the people in her life. One month after her diagnosis, she co-founded CoppaFeel! with her twin sister Maren to raise awareness in schools and at music festivals.

Following her passing, Hallenga’s family has requested privacy. The charity urged people to honor her memory by regularly checking their chests for any signs of breast cancer.

While progress has been made in breast cancer research, Breast Cancer Now emphasizes that more work is needed, as an estimated 11,500 people in the UK still die from the disease each year.