Date: 9 December 2024

• On 8th December 2024, Singapore Cancer Society concluded its 60th anniversary with a birthday bash at Zouk, featuring more than 500 cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and partners.
• The evening capped off a milestone year marked by pioneering initiatives, including the expansion of SCS’s cancer rehabilitation care services. 
• SCS also announced the opening of registration for the Singapore Cancer Society-TalkMed Relay For Life (www.scsrelayforlife.sg), which targets to raise $1.3 million to support cancer programmes and services in 2025. 

Singapore, December 9, 2024 – Singapore Cancer Society (SCS) concluded its year-long 60th anniversary with a vibrant birthday bash at Zouk last night with more than 500 cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, volunteers, and partners, with additional attendees joining via livestream. Themed “Celebrating Many Lives, One Legacy,” the evening paid tribute to the remarkable journeys of attendees and marked SCS’s impact in the lives of countless cancer patients, survivors and their families over the past 60 years.

A Celebration of Triumph: Survivors Take the Stage
The highlight of the night was a flash mob dance led by cancer survivors, from SCS’s cancer support groups, which brought the crowd to its feet and captured the spirit of joy and determination.

Madam Foziah Yeon, 65, a breast cancer survivor who benefitted from SCS’s rehabilitation services, spent two weeks rehearsing for the flash mob. “Taking part in this was a way for me to show that life after cancer can be filled with joy and new challenges. The rehearsals were tough but rewarding and seeing the audience’s reaction made the effort worth it!” she said. Guest of Honour and Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Seah Kian Peng, lauded cancer survivors and highlighted the importance of unity in overcoming the disease. “Cancer is a challenge that knows no boundaries. It affects all of us in some way. But it is in how we come together, as one united community, that defines us,” he said.

Guests also enjoyed performances by Liu Ling Ling, Peranakan Sayang, GIN Moh, and Joel Quintis, along with a halal-certified dinner and mocktails.

The Zouk celebration capped off a landmark year for SCS, marked by ground-breaking initiatives, most notably the expansion of its rehabilitative care facilities. The NCCS-SCS Rehabilitation Centre was launched in June 2024, as Singapore’s first tertiary cancer rehabilitation centre, providing multidisciplinary care for patients preparing for or undergoing treatment. This was followed by the opening of the SCS Cancer Rehabilitation Centre @ National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS) in September, catering to non-acute cases.
“SCS has been journeying with the cancer community for the last 60 years and counting. Over the years, we have stepped up our efforts to better support the cancer community in their fight against cancer. In recent years, SCS has strengthened our partnership and involvement with cancer institutions in Singapore to pioneer programmes and services like Cancer Rehabilitation in tertiary settings to improve treatment outcomes for those battling with cancer. SCS is committed to journeying with the cancer community in the collective fight against cancer for many years to come,” said Mr. Albert Ching, Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Cancer Society. 

A Year of Milestones and Looking Ahead 

Yesterday’s celebration turned the focus toward the future by recognising changemakers who will continue to shape the cancer cause. One highlight of the evening was the introduction of the SCS Aspiration Awards, honouring individuals and organisations that have made a sterling impact on the cancer community. Thirteen organisations and individuals were recognised for their holistic contributions, spanning volunteerism, donations, advocacy, and partnership in SCS initiatives. The list of the 2024 Aspiration Awards winners is enclosed in the Annex. 

SCS Announces Registration for Relay For Life 2025
During the event, SCS also announced the opening of registration for the Singapore Cancer Society–TalkMed Relay For Life 2025 (March 8 – 9, 2025). The annual overnight relay rallies the Singapore community to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember those still fighting and the loved ones lost, and to fight back against the disease. Relay For Life 2025 aims to raise $1.3million to support SCS programmes and services, including its expanding network of rehabilitative care facilities. The public is encouraged to be part of this meaningful cause by registering at www.scsrelayforlife.sg. As SCS wraps up its 60th anniversary celebrations, it remains steadfast in the fight against cancer. “As we look to the future, we invite everyone to join us in shaping a society where no one faces cancer alone. Together, we can continue to Minimise Cancer and Maximise Lives,” said Mr. Albert Ching.

For more information, please contact:

Alison Nicole Lim Senior Executive, Corporate Affairs alison_lim@singaporecancersociety.org.sg 9100-7901

Jeanne Tai Head, Corporate Affairs jeanne_tai@singaporecancersociety.org.sg 9018-7843

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.

ANNEX
About the Aspiration Awards 2024
The Aspiration Awards were introduced by the Singapore Cancer Society (SCS) in 2024 as part of its 60th anniversary celebration to honour exceptional contributions to the cancer community. These awards recognise individuals and organisations that exemplify excellence in four key areas: donations, volunteerism, advocacy, and participation in SCS programmes and activities.

In this inaugural year, the awards spotlight trailblazers whose efforts have set a high and holistic standard for giving to the cancer cause. Moving forward, SCS aims to nurture the Aspiration Awards into a hallmark of distinction for cancer-related contributions, inspiring a growing community of givers.

List of Aspiration Awards Winners 2024 

	Category	Awardee
1	Organisation	AstraZeneca Singapore Pte Ltd
2	Organisation	Illumina Singapore Pte Ltd
3	Organisation	TalkMed Group Ltd Parkway Cancer Centre
4	Organisation	The Great Eastern Life Assurance Company Ltd
5	Organisation	Singapore Telecommunications Ltd
6	Organisation	Temasek Foundation Ltd Temasek T-Touch
7	Informal Group	Project Lavande Heal Hearts
8	School	Nan Chiau High School
9	School	Raffles Institution
10	Individual	Ellil Mathiyan Lakshmanan
11	Individual	Koh Swee Huah, Elsie
12	Individual	Aaron Mossadeg
13	Individual	Bridget Fernandez