Date: 19 September 2020

MEDIA RELEASE
Embargoed till 19 September 2020, 5:30pm 

(All figures stated in the press release are as of 19 September) 

Over 4000 Participants Register for the 1^st Ever Virtual
Singtel – Singapore Cancer Society Race Against Cancer
to Create Awareness and Raise Funds for the Fight Against Cancer

• The 12th Singtel–Singapore Cancer Society Race Against Cancer to be held virtually due to COVID-19 and safe distancing measures
• Participants get to rally support from the community at large and raise funds for the cancer community
• Islandwide participation to light up and conquer the entire Singapore map in the fight against cancer 
• Total of 4,065 (2,132 individuals and 192 teams) have registered in the race to save lives

Singapore, 19 September 2020: Over 4,000 participants have registered for the Singtel–Singapore Cancer Society Race Against Cancer (RAC) 2020. Due to the COVID-19 situation this year, RAC 2020 will be conducted virtually for the first time as part of efforts to adhere to safe distancing measures. 

Virtual RAC 2020 was launched earlier today. Mr Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies and Minister for Finance delivered the opening address as the Guest-of-Honour, highlighting the important role that the Singapore Cancer Society plays in helping patients and their families financially. He also commended businesses and the community for coming together to raise funds and help those in need through the Race1 . Singtel Group CEO Ms Chua Sock Koong also presented a cheque of $250,000 to the Singapore Cancer Society (SCS). The launch event was hosted by TV actor Aaron Mossadeg who has volunteered to do his part for this meaningful cause.

Mr Albert Ching, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Cancer Society said, “RAC has been spearheading the fight against cancer for the past 12 years. Despite the challenges faced amidst the COVID-19 situation, I am heartened to see so many participants coming together to rally their friends and families to contribute to their fund raising efforts and to support the cancer community. This deeply encourages SCS to continue to strengthen efforts to minimise cancer and maximise lives through a holistic care system for the cancer community, journeying along with cancer patients through the different life stages. We are also thankful to our valued partner, Singtel, for supporting us throughout these years in the fight against cancer.”

Mr Yuen Kuan Moon, Chairman of the Singtel Touching Lives Fund and CEO, Consumer Singapore at Singtel, said, “This is the first time, in all the years that we’ve supported the Singapore Cancer Society, we’re not gathering in person for the race due to COVID-19 and the need to socially distance. But the Race Against Cancer continues. In fact, cancer patients and their families need our support even more during this time. We remain committed to raising awareness and much needed funds through a virtual race this year, and we are heartened by the overwhelming support from the community. Every member of Singtel’s management committee along with our staff are also rallying together to continue showing our solidarity for this meaningful cause.”

(Picture by Singtel- From Left: Mr Yuen Kuan Moon, Chairman of the Singtel Touching Lives Fund and CEO, Consumer Singapore at Singtel, Ms Chua Sock Koong, Singtel’s Group CEO, Mr Wee Leong How, Chairman of Singapore Cancer Society, Dr Ang Peng Tiam, SCS Council Member and Chairman of SCS Community Partnership Committee and Mr Albert Ching SCS Chief Executive Officer)

The virtual event was launched by key partners piecing together a map of Singapore. The map symbolises everyone from all over Singapore coming together to join in this race against cancer and to show their support in the fight against cancer.

The launch event was also attended by various local influencers and celebrities like Bridget Fernandez and Gayathri Segaran from KIN (Channel 5 TV series), local celebrities Subramaniam Narainda and Marcus AC, host and actress Munah Bagharib and journalist and presenter Victoria Cheng, who joined the event from various locations in Singapore to kick off their run.

(Picture by Singtel- From Left: Mr Yuen Kuan Moon, Chairman of the Singtel Touching Lives Fund and CEO, Consumer Singapore at Singtel, Ms Chua Sock Koong, Singtel’s Group CEO, Mr Wee Leong How, Chairman of Singapore Cancer Society, Dr Ang Peng Tiam, SCS Council Member and Chairman of SCS Community Partnership Committee and Mr Albert Ching SCS Chief Executive Officer)

Ms Chua Sock Koong, Singtel’s Group CEO and Mr Yuen Kuan Moon, Chairman of the Singtel Touching Lives Fund and CEO, Consumer Singapore at Singtel, together with Mr Wee Leong How, Chairman of Singapore Cancer Society, Dr Ang Peng Tiam, SCS Council Member and Chairman of SCS Community Partnership Committee, and Mr Albert Ching SCS Chief Executive Officer, launched the virtual event by piecing a map of Singapore together. The map symbolises everyone from all over Singapore coming together to join us in this race against cancer and to show their support in the fight against cancer.

Going the Extra Mile with the Virtual Race 

The virtual edition of RAC 2020 will be a 9-day event where participants can run anywhere in Singapore by using a GPS-enabled app to track their runs. Participants can cover distances of 5km, 10km, 21km or 42km. This will be the first time where participants get to run a half or full marathon with the 21km and 42km distances respectively. 

RAC also aims to cover and light up the entire map of Singapore to signify that everyone is CONNECTED AS ONE, giving hope and support to the cancer community. With participants taking part from all over Singapore, the route run by each participant will ‘light up’ and ‘conquer’ the entire Singapore map.

Participants may also stand a chance to win Novelty Prizes like the Most Creative Route, Best Dressed, Loyal RAC Participant, Best Fundraiser and Longest Distance. 

This year, participants can do more to raise funds for the cancer community. Each participant is tagged to a fundraising amount depending on the distance they registered for. Funds raised will go towards SCS’s programmes and services such as the SCS Cancer Care Fund, SCS Cancer Rehabilitation Centre, SCS Cancer Treatment Fund, SCS Help the Children and Youth Programme (HCYP) and the SCS Welfare Aid. Since the inception of RAC, Singtel has contributed $2.75 million to the SCS Help the Children and Youth Programme. The fund has supported SCS in setting up several initiatives that cater to the educational, financial and social needs of the young who are impacted by cancer in the family. 

Providing a Holistic Support to CANCER Patients and Families

Every year, SCS needs to raise at least $20 million to carry out their programmes and services. Last year, over 100,000 individuals benefitted from the Society. Under the HCYP a total of 51 students benefitted from the SCS Tuition Programme, 45 students received the SCS Achievement Awards, 74 students received the SCS School Allowance Schemes, 5 students received Bursary Awards and 197 children/youths and their family members attended the family and youth engagement programmes. 

One such beneficiary is 13-year old-Justin who lives in a 2 room rental flat with his mother. His late father was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer and passed away in 2017, leaving Justin’s mother as the sole breadwinner for the family. With her meagre earnings from her job as a cleaner, the family struggled to make ends meet. In 2016, they were introduced to SCS and received Welfare Aid which helped alleviate their financial burden. Justin is also the beneficiary of the SCS Tuition Programme and is the recipient of SCS 2019 Good Progress Award. During the Circuit Breaker period, SCS also loaned a desktop to Justin for his tuition sessions which were conducted virtually due to social distancing measures. The desktop also allowed him to attend lessons virtually and keep up with his academics in school. The aim of the SCS Tuition programme is to provide a pillar of support for the academic pursuits and emotional well-being of children whose family members are afflicted with cancer. By helping the children to improve their confidence and selfesteem through doing well in school, the programme hopes to alleviate the concerns and worries of their family members. 

Rallying Support for the Cancer Community

While SCS does its utmost to ‘Serve more and Serve Better’, community involvement is crucial in supporting the cancer community. For the Virtual RAC 2020, SCS’ target is to raise a total of $800,000.

Mr Jackson Tan, also known as ‘Hougang Ironman’, raised $5000 for RAC and hopes that he can inspire everyone to go the extra mile for needy cancer patients. He said, “Being in an accident twice and having 26 screws and 3 iron rods in my limbs, I can understand the daily challenges a cancer patient will go through. I hope my contribution will make a difference in the lives of the needy cancer patients out there.”

Just like Mr Tan, other participants rallied the support of their families and friends to come together to join forces in the collective fight against cancer. The new fundraising component in RAC 2020 has generated greater awareness on cancer and the cancer cause. By leveraging on this ‘Peer-to-Peer Campaign’ SCS has reached out to more than 3,000 unique donors, comprising friends and families of the participants.

The total amount raised to date is S$942,582. Public can log into raceagainstcancer.org.sg to donate.

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For more information, please contact:
Kumudha Panneerchelvam
Singapore Cancer Society
DID: 6436 5237
Mobile: 9819 6589
Email: kumudha_P@singaporecancersociety.org.sg

Celia Au
Singapore Cancer Society
DID: : 6421 5801
Mobile: 9668 9465
Email: celia_au@singaporecancersociety.org.sg

About Singtel–Singapore Cancer Society Race Against Cancer
Singtel is the title sponsor of Race Against Cancer, an annual fundraising event organised by Singapore Cancer Society. Proceeds from this event go towards supporting SCS’s cancer treatment subsidies, welfare assistance, cancer rehabilitation, hospice care, cancer screenings, research and public education initiatives.

A donation of $200,000 in 2009 kick-started the SCS Help the Children and Youth Programme, to help children and youths whose lives have been affected by cancer. Since 2014, Singtel has increased its contribution to $250,000 annually in support of the programme. The funds are used for home tuition services, school allowance grants, annual book prizes, youth camps and family engagement activities. 

About Singapore Cancer Society (www.singaporecancersociety.org.sg)

Established in 1964, Singapore Cancer Society is a self-funded voluntary welfare organisation which provides patient care services to needy cancer patients through its welfare, hospice home care, cancer treatment subsidy and rehabilitation support programmes. In addition, the Society also provides free cancer screening services and promotes cancer awareness and prevention through its public education and community outreach programmes.

ANNEX A

TRANSCIPT OF OPENING ADDRESS BY DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER,

COORDINATING MINISTER FOR EONOMIC POLICIES AND MINISTER FOR FINANCE ME HENG  SWEE KEAT FOR THE LAUNCH OF SINGTEL-SINGAPORE CANCER SOCEITY RACE AGAINST CANCER 2020 ON SATURDAY, 19

SEPTEMBER 2020

Good afternoon.
Thank you for taking part in the Singtel-Singapore Cancer Society Race Against Cancer.

Due to COVID-19, the Race is conducted virtually this year. This is a creative way to adapt to the times. Participants can run at your convenience, anywhere in Singapore, anytime during the nine days.

Your participation in this virtual race is a show of our resilience. Much as we will not let the virus overcome us and disrupt our lives, this is an encouragement to all patients that they must not let cancer defeat them. As you run, you are also contributing towards the Race’s mission to ‘minimise cancer and maximise life’. Every stride that you take goes towards raising funds to save lives.

Cancer is a major illness that strikes almost 15,000 people in Singapore annually, but with advancements in medicine, the prognosis for cancer has improved very significantly. Many patients recover and go on to lead long and meaningful lives.

Cancer can pose a tremendous burden on patients and their families, financially and emotionally. This is why support for patients is critical to help them tide through treatment and recovery. The Singapore Cancer Society has a big role to play, helping patients and their families financially, including tuition programmes and education financial assistance, and in rehabilitation and support services for cancer survivors.

It is especially heartening to see cancer survivors volunteering as Patient Ambassadors to support newly diagnosed patients in their recovery journey. In addition, a key strategy to tackling cancer is prevention and early detection. The Society has contributed in a big way through free cancer screening services, and its many public education and community outreach programmes. More than 100,000 people benefitted from your programmes and support last year.

To fund these efforts, the Society seeks to raise $20 million each year. They have been able to do so through generous donations from businesses and the community, including from corporate sponsors like Singtel, and all of you who are taking part or have donated generously to the Race. This is the spirit of the Singapore Together movement, with all of us doing our part to help those around us. We can achieve so much more when we do it together. 7 Note: All figures and numbers updated as of 19 September 2020,5pm Wherever you are, do remember to practise safe distancing, stay hydrated and stay safe.