When Aliza Kanerawala was just 13 years old, her world was shattered by the loss of
her mother to stage 4 lung cancer. Her mother had never smoked, lived a healthy lifestyle, and showed no signs of illness until it was too late.
Diagnosed in June 2018 and passing just five months later, her story challenged the stigma and misconceptions around lung cancer.
Aliza with her mother
“My mum was my role model, my best friend, and my greatest source of comfort. Watching her fight so bravely, yet so silently, showed me how much we need to change the way we talk about this disease,” says Aliza now aged 19.
Her mother’s passing left an unfillable silence, but also sparked a sense of purpose. At just 13, Aliza made a promise to herself: she would use her voice to honour her mother’s strength, break the stigma surrounding lung cancer, and give hope to those who feel invisible. From this, she created Breathe for Hope, an initiative dedicated to fundraising, education, and advocacy for those affected by lung cancer—particularly non-smokers who are often overlooked.
Now 20 years old, Aliza is a second-year film studies student going into her third
year, as well as an actor, model and advocate. She balances her academic work with
her creative passions, seeing both as a way to tell powerful stories and inspire
change. “Everything I do is a tribute to my mum’s belief in me,” she explains. “Her
words, ‘Whatever happens, happens for good’, have become the foundation I stand
on.”
“As Miss Leicester 2025, I am incredibly proud to represent a city that celebrates diversity, resilience, and community spirit. My journey has been deeply personal and purpose-driven, rooted in my Beauty with a Purpose project — “Breathe for Hope.” Inspired by the memory of my late mother, who passed away from lung cancer despite never smoking, I’ve made it my mission to raise awareness about lung cancer in non-smokers, promote early detection, and support patients and families through collaboration with the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation. Being Miss Leicester gives me the platform to bring this message closer to home to schools, community groups, and local charities where education and awareness can truly make a difference.”
Beyond Leicester, my vision is to take Breathe for Hope to a national level, using the Miss England platform to amplify voices, share stories, and inspire change across the UK. I believe that pageantry is not just about beauty, but about using influence with purpose turning personal loss into hope for others. Through media appearances, advocacy, and collaborations, I want to shine a light on the importance of health awareness and emotional resilience. My goal as Miss Leicester is to show that compassion and purpose can drive lasting impact proving that when you breathe for hope, you breathe for change.
Aliza will now take her story and her mission to the Miss England stage as a
finalist in Wolverhampton on November 20th & 21st. For her, the Miss England platform
represents more than beauty—it’s about Beauty with a Purpose.
“Miss England is about standing for something bigger than yourself. For me, it’s the chance to raise
awareness for lung cancer and inspire others who’ve faced loss to turn pain into purpose.”
Public voting for the semi-finalists opened October 24th on the free Miss England
App, where supporters can place one free daily vote.
With Beauty with a Purpose being one of the rounds in the competition now, Aliza
has started her own fundraiser in the lead up to the competition here;
For media enquiries, interviews, or images of Aliza Kanerawala, please contact:
Miss & Mr England Press Office
