Kristin Hallenga

Early Life and Background

Kristin Hallenga was born on November 11, 1985, in Norden, Lower Saxony, West Germany. She and her twin sister Maren were born to a German father and an English mother. When Kristin was nine years old, her parents divorced, and her mother moved back to England with Kristin and her two sisters. Kristin spent her early years in Daventry, Northamptonshire, where they settled.

Education and Early Career

Hallenga pursued her education in England and later became an honorary graduate of Nottingham Trent University. Before her life-changing diagnosis, she was working in China as an English teacher.

Breast Cancer Diagnosis

In 2009, at the age of 23, Hallenga’s life took a dramatic turn when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. The diagnosis came after an eight-month delay, during which she was told three times that she was too young to have breast cancer. By the time she was diagnosed, the cancer had progressed to stage four, having spread to her liver and bones.

Founding CoppaFeel!

Motivated by her experience and determined to prevent others from facing similar delays in diagnosis, Kristin and her twin sister Maren founded CoppaFeel! in 2009. This breast cancer awareness charity aimed to educate young people about the importance of early detection and regular self-examinations.

Activism and Public Speaking

Hallenga became a prominent voice in breast cancer awareness. She was featured in “Kris: Dying to Live,” a documentary about her experience with terminal breast cancer. In 2009, she won a Pride of Britain Award for her efforts. She also appeared as a special guest on “Russell Howard’s Good News” in November 2014, discussing her charity and experiences.

Writing Career

In addition to her activism, Hallenga became a columnist, sharing her experiences and insights with a wider audience. In 2021, she published her memoir, “Glittering a Turd,” which became a Sunday Times bestseller. The book offered a candid and often humorous look at her life with cancer.

Legacy and Impact

Kristin Hallenga’s work through CoppaFeel! reached millions of people with her message of health advocacy and empowerment. She successfully campaigned for cancer education to be included in the school curriculum and won the Women of the Year Outstanding Young Campaigner award. Her efforts have undoubtedly saved lives by encouraging early detection of breast cancer.

Death and Remembrance

Kristin Hallenga passed away on May 6, 2024, at her home in Newquay, at the age of 38, due to complications from her illness. Her death was mourned across the UK, with many praising her tireless efforts in breast cancer awareness and her positive approach to life despite her diagnosis.

Hallenga’s legacy lives on through CoppaFeel! and the countless lives she touched. She is remembered not just for her fight against cancer, but for her determination to live life to the fullest and help others in the process.