Date: 19 September 2024

Singapore Cancer Society (SCS) is pleased to announce that its Council has appointed Mr Tan Kwang Cheak as Chief Executive Officer (CEO)-designate, effective 7 October 2024. Kwang Cheak will succeed Mr Albert Ching as CEO on 17 February 2025.

As SCS steps into its 60th year of caring for cancer patients, it is focused on reducing cancer incidence, increasing survivor rate, improving quality of life, and rallying greater community action for the fight against cancer. To this end, Kwang Cheak brings 25 years of experience in the public service, private and healthcare sectors, with notable track record, characterized by his extensive experience and leadership roles. He last served as CEO of the Agency of Integrated Care (AIC) for six years. With AIC, he built up the organisation, doubled its manpower and scope of work, drove strategies to empower seniors and clients, improved care integration to transform the care community. He led the organisation through the challenging COVID-19 period, and built strong partnerships and trusts with the community care sector, community organisations and stakeholders. He also serves on the boards of non-profit organisations.

“Kwang Cheak’s extensive experience in the public, private and healthcare sectors and his leadership in AIC, working closely with grassroots organisations and stakeholders like Ministry of Health and related agencies, puts him in good stead to lead SCS in advancing our mission as we innovate and grow our capacity and capability to better serve the evolving needs of the cancer community ” said Mr Lee Meng Tat, Chairman SCS Council. “We are excited to have him lead our efforts in supporting cancer patients and their families, as well as advancing our efforts in cancer control and prevention, cancer care and support and rallying the community to come together in the collective fight against cancer.” 

In his new role, Kwang Cheak will focus on enhancing SCS’s programs and initiatives, fostering collaborations with healthcare and other partners, and advocating for cancer awareness in the community.

“I am honored to join the Singapore Cancer Society and continue the good work with such a dedicated and committed team.” said Kwang Cheak. “Over the past 60 years, SCS has made very significant contributions to the cancer cause, and its mission continues to be critical. Together, we will strive to make a meaningful and stronger impact on the lives of those affected by cancer and their families and continue to promote a healthier society.”

The SCS Council and the entire Singapore Cancer Society team extend a warm welcome to Kwang Cheak.

A Gratitude of Thanks to Albert Ching

Albert Ching has served Singapore Cancer Society as its CEO since 17 September 2012. Under Albert’s leadership over the past 12 years, SCS has stepped up to “Serve More, Serve Better” enabling SCS services to be more accessible and establishing new patient services such as the first community-based, as well as the first tertiary-based Cancer Rehabilitation services in Singapore to better serve the cancer community. 

Albert has played a pivotal role with his visionary leadership in establishing strategic partnerships, strengthening SCS roles in the healthcare ecosystem to better serve the cancer community across key areas of cancer control and prevention, cancer care and support and rallying the community in the collective fight against cancer.

Establishing partnerships with the two leading cancer centres in Singapore, the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) and the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS), SCS has been able to provide holistic and integrated services for cancer patients, such as the set-up of the first tertiary-based Cancer Rehabilitation services to offer pre-hab and acute rehab services. Against the backdrop of increasing cancer incidents in Singapore and more Singaporeans living with cancer, SCS has geared up its capability and capacity to better serve the cancer community in Singapore. 

Under his leadership, SCS clinched the Charity Transparency Award for three years running (2019*, 2022 and 2023), Charity Governance Award (Special Commendation) for Governance and Management in 2022 and the prestigious Charity Governance Award 2023. 

On behalf of the past and current Councils, Chairman Lee Meng Tat thanked Albert for his sterling contributions, stating, “Albert’s outstanding leadership was instrumental in strengthening SCS capability and capacity to be well poised in leading the collective fight against cancer. Over the years, SCS has stepped up its efforts by contributing to national efforts such as leadership role in the development of the Singapore’s National Cancer Care Plan, integrating SCS into the cancer care ecosystem by working closely with the cancer centres in Singapore to provide integrated, holistic and comprehensive cancer care for patients and their families.”

Said Meng Tat, “Albert has done a lot for SCS and the cancer community in Singapore in his twelve years as CEO and the SCS Council extends our heartfelt gratitude for his dedicated service. We look forward to his continued involvement in SCS in other capacity and wish him the very best in his future endeavours.”

“I am very thankful to have the privilege and honour of serving SCS and the cancer community”, said Albert, “I will work closely with Kwang Cheak to ensure that the transition is smooth and seamless and that he will have a great start in taking SCS to the next level!”

Moving Forward
As SCS embarks on the leadership transition, it remains committed in our mission of “Minimising Cancer, Maximising Lives” through effective programmes, striving to be Singapore’s leading Charity in the fight for a cancer-free community. Key strategic focuses remain for SCS to “Reduce Cancer Incidence”, “Increase Survivor Rate”, “Improve Quality of Life” and “Rally Greater Community Action” to lead the charge in the collective fight against cancer.

Media Contact:

• Ida Cecil, Head/Corporate Affairs, Singapore Cancer Society at ida_betryl_cecil@singaporecancersociety.org.sg or 9760 1207

About Singapore Cancer Society
Minimising Cancer and Maximising Lives since 1964, the 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, to survivorship and palliative care. SCS’s key programmes and services include cancer screening programmes, public education, financial and welfare services, psychosocial support, survivorship, rehabilitation programmes and hospice care. SCS attained the coveted Charity Governance Award (Special Commendation) for Governance & Management in 2022, the prestigious Charity Governance Award (2023) and Charity Transparency Award for three years running (2019*, 2022 and 2023) for upholding high governance and transparency standards. As the Society forges ahead in 2024 and beyond, it commemorates its 60th anniversary of improving the lives of Singaporeans and the cancer community. For more information, please visit www.singaporecancersociety.org.sg
*The Charity Transparency Award did not occur in the years 2020 and 2021, due to COVID19.