Chairman’s Opening Speech – Relay For Life 2025 

Mr Lee Meng Tat 

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam 

Esteemed Guests, Partners, Relay For Life Participants, and Friends, 

Good evening, and welcome to the Singapore Cancer Society – TalkMed Relay For Life 2025! 

I am delighted to be here today with all of you for this annual event organised by Singapore Cancer Society (SCS).  Today, we come together as a Singapore community to show our support for those impacted by cancer and to make sure no one fights this disease alone. 

For more than six decades, SCS has focused on its mission – to minimise cancer and maximise lives.  We do so by driving three key areas – (i) one, prevent and control cancer, (ii) two, provide care and support for those affected by cancer and their families, (ii) and three, rallying the community through events like this.  Our holistic care services range from education and screening to patient support, rehabilitation, and palliative care.  We stay focused on our cancer patients, survivors, beneficiaries and their loved ones.   

SCS is truly honoured to welcome over 5,000 participants to the Singapore National Stadium this weekend to take part in such an impactful global initiative. It’s heartening to see more people stepping up to walk alongside cancer warriors and feel the collective spirit growing stronger year on year. Each step taken on this track, each conversation sparked tonight, each Luminara dedication, and every cent that  you have fundraised is an act of solidarity for those whose lives have been touched by the disease.   

This evening, we are honoured to have President Tharman Shanmugaratnam as our Guest-of-Honour. President Tharman, your presence as the Patron of the Singapore Cancer Society is a tremendous source of encouragement to the cancer community. Thank you for your unwavering support. 

We also extend our gratitude to our many partners: National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) and National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS), as well as our government partners from the Ministry of Health, Agency for Integrated Care, and Health Promotion Board.  

A special thank you also to our event partners and supporters: TalkMed Group, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, AstraZeneca, Zephyr Running Group, Sport Singapore, Kallang Alive Sport Management, and many others. Your generosity and collaboration empower us to support those affected by cancer and build a healthier Singapore.  

What makes Relay For Life so special is the incredible dedication of our volunteers. From students to corporate teams and community groups, you are the backbone of this event. Thank you for your time, energy, and passion. 

We are also grateful for our emcees and performers for lending their voices to spread awareness and uplift the spirits of everyone here tonight. 

This year, Relay For Life coincides with the holy month of Ramadan. To recognise this meaningful time, we are hosting a special community Iftar (breaking of fast) session at 7pm this evening, where everyone can come together in the spirit of community and support. 

As most of you may know, Relay For Life also features a virtual component — the My Fight Back Challenge — where you commit to a healthy activity of their choice. This year, we’re enhancing this experience for participants by partnering with fitness experts to offer curated workout sessions. Whether you’re taking on the challenge solo or as part of a team, it’s a great way to stay active, try something new, and make every move count for the cancer community. 

Furthermore, I’m pleased to share that Relay For Life 2025 has already raised just over $1 million dollars! We are still hoping to reach our goal of $1.3 million dollars. If you have not had the chance to fundraise or donate yet, I encourage you to do so – we are still accepting donations until 23 March. Let’s keep the momentum going! Every contribution, big or small, helps cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers receive the care and resources they need. 

To all the survivors, caregivers, and families here tonight: Your strength is what drives us forward. You are not alone in this journey. Look around you — this is your community, standing with you every step of the way. 

So let’s walk, run, and relay with purpose. Let’s make Relay For Life 2025 a truly unforgettable one!  

Thank you.