Amy says she ‘probably wouldn’t be here now if it wasn’t for CoppaFeel! founder’
STRICTLY Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has said she “probably wouldn’t be sat here right now” without the late Kris Hallenga – and added that the CoppaFeel! charity founder will continue to save lives.
Ms Hallenga died at the age of 38 after living with terminal secondary breast cancer for 15 years.
CoppaFeel! was founded in 2009 by Ms Hallenga and her twin Maren, and it became the mission of the charity to educate young people about why they should start checking from a younger age so that all breast cancer is diagnosed early.
Dowden, 33, revealed in May 2023 that she had been diagnosed with stage three breast cancer and due to treatment she was unable to compete in the most recent series of Strictly.
The dancer, from Caerphilly, had completed a CoppaFeel! trek with podcast host Giovanna Fletcher before she began to check her breasts, finding a lump months later on the day before she went on her honeymoon with fellow dancer Ben Jones.
Speaking on ITV morning programme Lorraine, Dowden said: “I did the Pembrokeshire trek and it was on that trek I was speaking to the most wonderful trekkers.
“I realised I’m here advertising, raising awareness to check yourself and I don’t even check myself.
“So from that trip I started to check myself and just a few months later, I found my lump and so if it wasn’t for CoppaFeel!, if it wasn’t for Kris, I probably wouldn’t be sat here right now.”
Reflecting on her legacy, Lorraine added: “We’ll never know how many lives she saved actually.”
Dowden responded: “And she’s going to continue to save these lives as well.”
Dowden said that she will take part in the Brecon Beacons trek in June, alongside Fletcher, which will raise money for the breast cancer awareness charity.
On Instagram, she reflected on Ms Hallenga’s legacy and said: “What a woman! What a difference she has and will continue to make.”