Leonie Rowen, a 29-year-old Sheffield resident, has chosen to channel her personal experience with cancer into charitable work by competing in the Miss GB South Yorkshire pageant. She lost her step-father to brain cancer at age 15 and was herself diagnosed with thyroid cancer at 23, entering remission in 2021. Rather than retreating from life's difficulties, Rowen has embraced a philosophy of pursuing challenges outside her comfort zone, viewing her cancer survival as a catalyst for personal growth and newfound confidence.

To support cancer research, Rowen has undertaken a series of publicly documented fitness challenges throughout 2026, combining her pageant entry with recorded workout routines including planks, sit-ups, and other exercises. These efforts have generated over £300 in donations this year alone. Working as an assistant office manager at a learning disabilities charity, Rowen frames her fundraising as both a personal mission and a commitment to supporting others affected by cancer.