Date: 9 March 2025

• More than 5,000 individuals joined the cause this year, a 25% increase from 2024
• The annual overnight relay raised over $1.06 Million, with fundraising continuing until 23 March 2025.
• Funds raised will be used to support the Singapore Cancer Society’s programmes which span cancer screenings, rehabilitative care, psychosocial services, welfare aid and palliative care. 

SINGAPORE, 9 March 2025 – The Singapore Cancer Society (SCS) is proud to announce the resounding success of the Singapore Cancer Society – TalkMed Relay For Life 2025 (RFL 2025). This annual overnight event held at the National Stadium brought together the Singapore community to celebrate the lives of cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost to the disease, and unite in the fight against cancer. The President of the Republic of Singapore, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, was Guest-of-Honour at the event and flagged off the Survivors Lap. He is also the Patron of Singapore Cancer Society. President Tharman said, “As Singapore celebrates our 60th year, the Relay For Life shines a light on the values that have shaped us – the resilience we inherit from our pioneers, and the solidarity and care for one another that has grown on us. No one fights alone. Patients, survivors, volunteers and supporters – we walk with each other every step of the way.”

About Relay For Life
Relay For Life is a global movement and one of the longest-running global movements for cancer survivors. Singapore was the 25th member country to organise Relay For Life, back in 2017. This year’s event saw more than 5,000 individuals join the cause, and has raised over S$1.06 million to support various SCS programmes and services to date, with fundraising continuing until 23 March 2025. These initiatives aim to reduce cancer incidence, increase survivor rates, improve the quality of life for those affected by cancer, and encourage greater community action for thousands of cancer warriors across all the programmes and services SCS drives and supports. Mr Tan Kwang Cheak, Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Cancer Society said, “Cancer treatments and recovery can impose a heavy burden on patients and their families, both financially and emotionally. Our programmes and services have supported our cancer community in coping with the illness and improving their quality of life, while outreach initiatives and public education programmes have also helped to promote cancer awareness and prevention. With the rising incidence of cancer, and cancer incidence occurring in younger Singaporeans, the extent of support and programmes needed by our community is also increasing. We are grateful to all participants for their generosity and commitment in supporting our flagship fundraising event and hope this overnight relay has also reminded us not to forget those whom we have lost to cancer.” RFL 2025 featured special segments designed to honour every stage of the cancer journey. Participants took part in the 100KM Challenge, a non-competitive overnight walk and/or run around the relay track at the Singapore National Stadium, symbolising the unending fight against cancer – a disease that never rests – and the need for resilience, as well as community support. Many well-known personalities and community members also turned up in support of RFL 2025, including: influencer Radical Kindness, Singapore Sidecars, former national athlete and cancer warrior James Wong, and community partners, such as Special Olympics Singapore, and student groups including Catholic High School Communities. 

Enhanced Initiative: Virtual My Fight Back Challenge 

SCS encourages everyone to continue supporting the fight against cancer. Even though the event held at the National Stadium has completed its course, participants who have signed up for the virtual My Fight Back Challenge can choose any activity they prefer to pledge their support for cancer warriors and continue fundraising until 23 March 2025. This year, the My Fight Back Challenge has also been enhanced by partnering with fitness providers, offering participants access to free classes including barre, boxing, strength and conditioning training, making it a good opportunity to discover a new hobby while giving back. It also presents corporates another meaningful way to get involved in Relay For Life. In addition, this year’s Relay For Life saw SCS pilot “SCS Against Cancer” (scsagainstcancer.sg), an online platform which allows individuals to pledge to fight cancer and adopt healthy habits. Such pledges serve as a reminder that small, consistent actions—whether by keeping themselves informed, going for regular screenings, adopting healthier lifestyles or encouraging loved ones to do the same —can make a big difference in reducing cancer risk. Singapore Cancer Society – TalkMed Relay For Life was made possible with the generosity of event partners and supporters including TalkMed Group, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, AstraZeneca, Zephyr Running Club, Sport Singapore, Kallang Alive Sport Management, and many others.

About Singapore Cancer Society

Minimising Cancer and Maximising Lives since 1964, Singapore Cancer Society (SCS) is a self-funded social service agency which provides an integrated continuum of care from cancer control and prevention to patient support services, survivorship, and palliative care. SCS’s key programmes and services include cancer screening programmes, public education, financial and welfare services, psychosocial support, survivorship care, rehabilitation programmes and hospice care. Consistently recognised for its commitment to high standards in governance and transparency, SCS has attained both the coveted Charity Governance Award (2023) and the Charity Transparency Award for four years, between 2019 to 2024.

For more information, please visit www.singaporecancersociety.org.sg

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