“Together, we can make a big difference for women with breast cancer, now and in the future; I hope everyone in the local community will join me in wearing it pink on Friday, October 23 and show their support for Breast Cancer Now”. She had surgery, but 18 months later was told the cancer had spread to her liver and bones and would eventually kill her.
“She connected amazingly strongly with young women”. By 2011 it seemed she had beaten the disease, but it returned, and in January 2012 she was told she had only months to live. She was devoted to raising awareness through her work with the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation (NZBCF), and was the public face of numerous organisation’s campaigns.
And she once told the Herald that she did not want to be remembered as the girl who died from cancer, but as a “good-time party girl who’s a highly irresponsible adult – with a heart of gold, though”.
The former C4 presenter was first told she had breast cancer six years ago.
TVNZ reporter Brodie Kane said, “The world lost a attractive human today and my heart goes out to her friends and family”.
“When Helena decided on something, she was unstoppable”, said Evangelia Henderson, chief executive at the NZBCF.
“Yet Helena always responded to Foundation requests for help”.
“The NZ Breast Cancer Foundation is so grateful for the life of Helena McAlpine and so sad to have lost her”, the foundation says. She shared her story through numerous magazine features, at speaking engagements, on national television through documentaries and in current affairs.
Originally from England, she moved to New Zealand as a 22-year-old after marrying a New Zealander she met in Europe, NZME reports. She was determined to use her remaining time to help others, and she rose to every occasion with strength, grace and generosity. “Great example of how to live life”, fellow television presenter Damian Christie posted to Facebook. “We will miss her so much”.
A givealittle.co.nz page has been set up to contribute to her funeral costs and help provide for her daughter Shannon.