Kristin Hallenga
To be diagnosed with breast cancer at the tender age of 23 would be enough for most people to cope with. But feisty Kristin Hallenga has refused to let the disease break her spirit. While enduring painful treatment, she has focused all her energy on saving other young people.
As one of the stars of a hard-hitting Cancer Research UK advert, Kristin's battle touched millions of TV viewers when she said, "As yet, cancer isn't a fight we always win".
She has also launched her own groundbreaking campaign to ensure that carefree young adults - an age group often overlooked by cancer awareness campaigns - know how to recognise the warning signs of breast cancer before it is too late.
With the inspired name CoppaFeel, her campaign tours the country's music festivals and other events explaining to young women the importance of checking their breasts. She also keeps a searingly honest blog about her treatment.
The immense enthusiasm, tireless energy and motivation that she devotes to her important campaign has inspired thousands of people to think differently about cancer.
When Kristin - who has an identical twin sister Maren - first went to her GP in June 2008 complaining about "lumpy breasts" she was told not to worry, so she embarked on a six-month internship with a travel company in China.
On her return last December, Kristin's mum Jane made her go back to her doctor and demand a referral. In February this year, tests revealed breast cancer which had also spread to her spinal column.
Kristin endured intensive radiotherapy on her spine and gruelling chemotherapy to shrink the tumour in her breast. She is now facing the agonising prospect of surgery. But, despite all this, her online blog is witty and uplifting. "I'm only 23 and staring the prospect of a hairless, boobless life right in the face," she says. "If you are to believe the statistics, it isn't looking good for me. It is my highest hope that by sharing my story, other young women will learn a potentially life-saving lesson. "I only wish I had known I could get breast cancer at my young age before it happened to me."
Cancer Research UK PR Director Carolan Davidge says, "We've seen donations via our website increase by almost four times since the launch of our new advert. "We simply couldn't have produced it without the help of truly amazing people, such as Kristin, who agreed to share their stories."