kris hallenga

Voluntary Action, Breast Cancer Awareness

1985 - 2024

Alexandra Gable proposing on behalf of Jane, Maike & Maren Hallenga. Also suggested by Chloe Marsland, Amy Scott, Vicky Kemp.

“Kris set up the charity CoppaFeel! for breast cancer awareness in younger people, after receiving a terminal breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 23. It was her mission to make other young people aware that it was possible to get a cancer diagnosis at an early age, and how important it was for them to understand what was “normal” for their breasts. Kris lived with stage 4 breast cancer for 15 years.

Through CoppaFeel! Kris spread awareness of the importance of younger people checking their breasts for signs of breast cancer. Sending out over 1 million reminder texts a year, the charity has fiercely campaigned for cancer education in schools, with the government announcing in 2018 that health education would be a compulsory part of the school curriculum. Kris was behind the first daytime TV ad showing a female nipple, and getting images of nipples onto billboards for the first time. She wrote a best selling memoir entitled “Glittering a Turd”, published in 2021.

Kris showed how even when faced with the most terrifying health prognosis, people can do the most amazing things. Always dwelling on the endless possibilities instead of the probable limitations she was going to face, she taught many of us how to embrace life and new experiences. She has been a huge influence on how to advocate for one’s own health, particularly for women where historically their needs and experiences have been overlooked.

Kris moved to Cornwall in 2016 to be nearer to her twin sister Maren. The peace of Cornwall compared to London gave her a chance to slow down and focus on herself and what was important to her.

https://coppafeel.org

Kris set up the charity with her twin sister Maren, who continues to do work for the charity.”