Kris Hallenga from CoppaFeel
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but for Kris Hallenga, founder of breast cancer charity CoppaFeel, it’s business as usual.
CoppaFeel is aimed at young women, focusing on prevention of the disease as well as raising awareness, by encouraging women to regularly check and get to know their breasts, all year round, and not just one month out of 12.
No-one knows the importance of this more than Kris, 26, who set the charity up with her twin sister Maren just one month after she was diagnosed with breast cancer aged 23. Kris was sent away by her GP twice, who dismissed the lump in her breast as hormonal. By the time she received a proper diagnosis, she already had stage IV breast cancer, which had spread to her spine.
This would be enough to make most young women fall to pieces, however, Kris was determined that other women should learn from her experience ‘I wasn’t checking myself before that, and I know my friends weren’t either – even people who’ve had experience of it, or had it run in their family wouldn’t check themselves.’
Despite still undergoing treatment for cancer (she may never be free from the disease), Kris continues to campaign to raise awareness for breast cancer and, most importantly, to encourage young women to regularly check their breasts for lumps or changes.
Kris has been rewarded for her efforts by being nominated for a Women of the Future award (these awards recognise women under the age of 35 who’ve made a big impact in business, the arts, science public service and technology, the results are announced on 16 November). ‘It’s pretty amazing,’ says Kris, I wasn’t expecting it, but it’s great to be recognised.’
Unlike most breast cancer charities Coppafeel focuses on raising awareness amongst women under 30 (81% of breast cancer cases occur in women over 50). To that end, Kris is currently working to recruit Uni Boob Teams at university campuses around the country. She’s also recruiting a group of Boobettes – young women aged between 18-30 who’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, who visit schools and universities to share their stories and raise awareness.
Coppafeel also offers practical support – women can sign up to text or Twitter notifications once a month reminding them to check their breasts, and they’re about to team up with beauty brand Mama Mio to include advice on how to check your breasts in their Boob Tube product.
But what advice would Kris give to other women who find themselves unable to get their GP their concerns seriously? ‘Find another doctor and get a second opinion straight away – don’t take their word for it.’
For more information check out CoppaFeel’s facebook page or visit them on Twitter @coppafeelpeople. To sign up for free boob reminders, text BOOBS to 70300, followed by the name of your boobs (yes, you have to name them!), and you’ll receive a reminder every month.
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