Gifts from big hearts to battle cancer

People donate when they personally identify with and believe in a worthy cause. Cancer affects one in four people in Singapore which may be why at recent National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) fund raising events, Run For Hope and the NCCS Charity Gala Dinner, many from the community gave generously to support patient programmes and cancer research in hope of a cancer-free future.

In Singapore, financial aid is available in public healthcare institutions for patients in need. However, this does not typically cover the cost of psychosocial needs beyond treatment. Philanthropy and the generosity of a community is key in improving outcomes for patients and their families.

Contributing to cancer care for 30 years and running

Run For Hope is the longest running and largest running event in Singapore. Organised annually by Four Seasons Hotel Singapore, in partnership with NCCS, its goal is to raise awareness for cancer and encourage support for the NCCS Cancer Fund. Since 1993, the event has brought the community together to show support for individuals and families impacted by the disease.

Caption: Guest-of-Honour Mr Eric Chua, Senior Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Social and Family Development and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, flagged off Run For Hope 2023 (From left: Assoc Prof Ravindran Kanesvaran, Chairman, Div of Medical Oncology, NCCS; Dr Elaine Lim, Director, Div of Community Outreach and Philanthropy, NCCS; Mr Eric Chua, SPS of the Ministry of Social and Family Development and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth; Clin Asst Prof Jeffrey Tuan, Head, Dept of Gastrointestinal Hepato-pancreato-biliary and Urology, Div of Radiation Oncology, NCCS; Mr Peter Draminsky, RVP and General Manager Four Seasons Hotel; Mr John Wu, Event Co-Chair and Regional Director of Engineering, Four Seasons Hotel)

Runners get going for the 10km run at Run For Hope 2023, the longest-running event for cancer awareness and research in Singapore

Flag off for the 3km run at Run For Hope 2023! Participants included members of the community from all walks of life

Over 2,300 participants joined the run held on 17 December 2023 at Marina Bay. They included patients, caregivers, celebrities, healthcare staff, and members of the community from all walks of life. Together, they raised a cumulative total of more than SGD130,000 for the NCCS Cancer Fund, which supports cancer research, education and patient care.

"Run For Hope not only raises disease awareness but also fosters community support for people affected by cancer through a meaningful and healthy initiative," said Associate Professor Ravindran Kanesvaran, Chairman and Senior Consultant, Division of Medical Oncology, NCCS.

"Each dollar raised directly supports critical, life-saving cancer research. We are heartened by the lasting positive impact Run For Hope has had over the last three decades and look forward to garnering more support in the upcoming editions of this event."

A night to build hope for the future

After a hiatus due to the pandemic for five years, the NCCS Charity Gala Dinner 2023 was back with a bang on 22 October 2023 at The Ritz Carlton, Millenia, Singapore, with Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister of Economic Policies Heng Swee Keat, as the Guest of Honour. Over 700 guests attended the fundraising event, themed 'Celebrating the Past, Building Hope for the Future', to advance cancer research and boost patient care and support programmes.

At the dinner, DPM Heng was witness to several transformational gifts including a $20 million gift pledged by Mrs Margaret Lien, to establish the Lien Ying Chow Endowment Fund to support cancer patients' holistic psychosocial care, and a $6.35 million pledged by the Goh Foundation to establish the Goh Foundation INnovation in Supportive and Palliative CaRE Programme (INSPiRE), which promotes innovation in palliative care. A $1 million gift from New Century Foundation was presented to support technology and innovation in cancer care and research. In addition to the transformative gifts announced, the charity dinner event raised more than $2 million for the NCCS Cancer Fund.

The NCCS Charity Gala Dinner 2023 opened with a thrilling performance from aerial hoop dancers

The Goh Foundation presented a cheque for S$6.35 million to establish the Innovation in Supportive and Palliative CaRE Programme (INSPiRE) (From left: Mr Cheng Wai Keung, Chairman, SingHealth; Mr Lee Kim Shin, on behalf of the Goh Foundation; Mr Heng Swee Keat, DPM and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies; Prof William Hwang, immediate past CEO, NCCS; Prof Lim Soon Thye, immediate past DCEO (Clinical), NCCS)

DPM Heng Swee Keat was presented a painting entitled “In Full Bloom” by breast cancer survivor and NCCS patient Mdm Ann Sim, as a token of appreciation at the NCCS Charity Gala Dinner 2023 (From left: Mdm Ho Geok Choo, Chairperson of the NCCS Cancer Fund, part of SingHealth Fund, and NCC Research Fund; Mr Cheng Wai Keung, Chairman, SingHealth; Mr Heng Swee Keat, DPM and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies; Mdm Ann Sim, NCCS patient and artist; Prof William Hwang, immediate past CEO, NCCS; Prof Lim Soon Thye, immediate past DCEO (Clinical), NCCS)

Why give to the NCCS Cancer Fund?

As Singapore’s population rapidly ages, the incidence of cancer and need for cancer care has increased. Earlier detection and improved treatment have led to better outcomes, with survivorship rates growing from 19.5% in the 1970s to nearly 60% today. This has also meant an increase in the number of survivors who have to manage life-long medical and psychological issues arising from their cancer diagnosis. Cancer survivors need multi-faceted, post-treatment support and care.

While individuals can do their part to reduce cancer risk by leading healthy lives and going for early screening, the community plays an important role. By donating to cancer support programmes and impactful cancer research, the community supports those affected by cancer.

The NCCS Cancer Fund supports financial assistance for patients in need, cancer education, training for medical professionals and cancer research aimed at making treatment breakthroughs. To support the fund, please visit NCCS Giving.