Underlines was dismayed to learn that Kris Hallenga, the founder of the charity CoppaFeel!, which raises awareness of the importance of young women checking their breasts for early signs of cancer, died at the weekend, aged 38 after being diagnosed with the disease 15 years ago. The passionate campaigner, from Cornwall, was 23 when she was given the news she had stage 4 cancer that had spread to her spine. We met her early in her journey when she was working closely with leading lingerie brands to campaign that they include CoppaFeel! swing tickets sewn into bras.
Kristin and Maren
Kris started the charity CoppaFeel! in a field at a festival and rapidly it became one of the leading cancer awareness charities, encouraging millions of young women to check their breasts and creating checking tools. Its message was projected on to the Houses of Parliament and also included the first showing of a nipple on an advertising billboard.
Kris and her twin sister, Maren, worked tirelessly part of raising awareness and fundraising and created the CoppaTrek! challenge which saw stars including I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! winner Fletcher lead teams of people on treks.
The CoppaFeel! campaign expanded nationwide, with representatives of the charity visiting schools and universities to speak candidly and openly on how to check for breast cancer.
Hallenga fought successfully for cancer education to be included in the school curriculum and wrote a bestselling book, Glittering a Turd.
She will be sorely missed – RIP.
