Miss Finland finalist Anni Seppänen’s cancer was discovered by chance: “No feelings”

Anni Seppänen is one of the Miss Finland finalists. Mikko Huisko

Kajanian Anni Seppänen life took a dramatic turn when he got into a moped accident in the fall of 2016. He was sitting on a friend’s ride when the moped hit the side of a car at high speed.

Seppänen survived the Kolar itself with bruises and spooks, but hospital examinations revealed much worse.

– Tumors were discovered by chance in my pelvic bone graft. After pathological examinations, it was found that I have bone cancer, 22-year-old Seppänen says now.

The diagnosis was a shock. Waiting for the research results seemed to be an excruciatingly long time.

– I thought then, why me? It felt really unfair. I have always been very active and had a good lifestyle. Ignorance was the worst. On the other hand, I was lucky that the tumors were found, because I hadn’t felt anything. Luck in the accident, says Seppänen.

– However, it was a scary time, but it gave perspective to everything, he continues.

Seppänen’s cancer was treated with surgery. He traveled all the way from Kajaani to Tampere for hospital visits. Seppänen still undergoes control examinations every two years.

“Scars part of my story”

Seppänen says that at first the surgery scars embarrassed him, but now he thinks differently about them.

– I understood that they are part of me and my story. With that experience, I have become braver and I know how to be grateful even for really small things, says Seppänen.

This week, Seppäse can become the new Miss Finland. Valtikka changes hands on Saturday, September 9, and Seppänen is one of the ten finalists.

Seppänen has dreamed of the Miss Crown since she was 11 years old. Maybe earlier, but the first written evidence and dreams formulated into sentences can be found in his 2011 diary.

– I also told my best school friends that I want to participate in this competition someday. I was terribly shy. Last spring, when my school was in a good phase, I thought that nothing could stop me. I thought it was now or never. Now we are in the finals, says Seppänen.

Encouragement from the hometown

Seppänen, who is studying to become a nurse, is moved by the encouragement from his family.

– Kainuu and Kajaani are terribly communal. Everyone is supportive and it warms the heart. Kainuu is extremely dear to me, says Seppänen.

The miss tour has engaged Seppä since the beginning of August.

– We have been trained in walking, performing and generally creating a positive self-image in many ways. The days haven’t been boring, Seppänen laughs.

– At the beginning of August, the countdown to the spectacle itself began. We have received training from many different areas, what it takes to be Miss Finland and what it is like to possibly participate in the Miss Universe pageant, Seppänen sums up.