Date: 4 March 2023

• President Halimah Yacob will be the Guest-of-Honour at the 15-hour overnight relay which takes place on 4 – 5 March, 6pm to 9am 
• This year marks RFL’s return to a full-fledged physical event after three years of pandemic measures
• More than 4000 participated, raising more than $1.1 mil
• Strong show of community support from Marine Parade GRC, North West CDC, Sembawang West ward, Mediacorp, and many more

Singapore, 4 March 2023 – After three years of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Singapore Cancer Society-TalkMed Relay for Life (RFL) is finally returning as an in-person event. The last time RFL was held as a physical event was in 2019, prior to the pandemic.

RFL 2023 will take place between 4 to 5 March, 6pm to 9am at the National Stadium.

Featuring individual and team challenges, including the signature 100KM relay race challenge as well as food stalls and performances, RFL 2023 will combine a charity fundraiser with the atmosphere of an overnight festival, sending a compelling message that no one walks the cancer journey alone.

Albert Ching, Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Cancer Society (SCS) said, “This year, we are thrilled to bring Singapore’s only overnight relay back in person, bigger than ever, to champion the cancer community. Just as how Singapore battled Covid-19 for three years as a nation, Relay for Life represents how the fight against cancer never rests and requires resilience and community support. With the return of a physical event, we hope the public will come back in full force to support the cancer community,”

Mr Ching added,” Cancer is more than just about medical treatment. It’s about the whole spectrum of the journey. Starting from awareness and prevention, going for screenings, to services such as psychosocial support, rehabilitation, welfare assistance and hospice care. It is also about creating a more inclusive society for people impacted by cancer. With medical advancement, many patients and survivors are able to continue living productive and fulfilling lives. For too long, we focused on treating cancer as a physical ailment. It’s now time for us to champion those who are living with cancer and those who are impacted by it.”

Launch of RFL 2023
RFL 2023 will be officially launched at the National Stadium, Singapore Sports Hub, on 4 March 2023 at 6pm. The programme consists of 3 segments aim to rally the community to Celebrate the lives of cancer survivors, Remember those lost to the disease, and to Fight Back against cancer.

Guest-of-honour President Halimah Yacob will grace the event and flag off the Survivor’s lap, which will see cancer survivors completing the first lap around the National Stadium’s track to celebrate their triumph. This will be followed by a moving tribute where luminaria bags with personalised messages of encouragement will be lit around the stadium to remember those who have fought against cancer.

Participants can take part in various challenges to show their solidarity with cancer survivors. RFL’s signature 100KM Challenge represents the long fight against cancer and how no one walks the journey alone. It is a non-competitive walk/run around the National Stadium that can be completed as an individual or part of the team.

There is also a virtual challenge called My Fight Back Challenge which will be held between 4 to 12 March. Participants can pledge to complete a unique activity of their choice that promotes good health, body and/or mind to show their support and fundraise for the cancer community.

Strong Public Support for Cancer Community
RFL 2023 is already garnering a groundswell of community support with citizens groups, businesses and influencers stepping up for the cause. 

TalkMed Group returns as the title sponsor for RFL for the 6th year. Dr Ang Peng Tiam, Chief Executive Officer of TalkMed Group shared: “My team of doctors and I work closely with individuals and families battling this disease. We have seen first-hand that patients need a village of support to successfully overcome cancer. Everyone can play a part, as an individual, a team or an organisation. As a longstanding supporter of Relay For Life, TalkMed hopes to inspire more people and organisations to be a force for good and champion the cancer cause in the best way they can.”

Run with Marine Parade GRC will be running in support of RFL 2023. The citizen’s group, has been running for different causes in Singapore. Its relay team consists of more than 80 runners and will be led by Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, Speaker of Parliament and Adviser to Marine Parade GRC GROs and Mr Seah Kian Peng, Adviser to Marine Parade GRC GROs. 

Ms Ng Ling Ling, Adviser to Ang Mo Kio GRC GROs, will be participating in the Fight Back Segment, walking along teams from community organisations such as North West Brisk Walking Club, Sembawang West Running Club and Teochew Poit Ip Huay Guan.

Beyond Expedition SG, a boutique travel agency which organises yearly charity expeditions has dedicated this year’s expedition – a trek across Mongolia’s largest freshwater lake – to raise funds for RFL 2023. The expedition team comprises cancer survivors who wish to show that a cancer diagnosis does not stop anyone from leading a full life.

Local celebrities and influencers will also lend their voice in support of the fight against cancer. RFL 2023 will feature a star-studded performance line-up and participants that includes SCS’s youngest Goodwill Ambassadors, Glenn Yong, Calvert Tay and artists from Universal Music Singapore: Alyph, Yung Raja, Fariz Jabba, ABSP, Syaz Smooth and YAØ. Mediacorp represents their support through a team of their A-list artistes participating in the event which includes Ayden Sng, Ben Yeo , Benjamin Tan , Herman Keh, Hong Hui Fang , Kiki Limv , Pierre Png , Tyler Ten, Tay Ying , Xiang Yun, Zhang Ze Tong and Zoe Tay. They will be participating together with SCS Goodwill Ambassadors; Bridget Fernandez, Aaron Mossadeg, Narain and Vikneswary Se.

More than 4000 participants have registered, raising more than $1.1 million.

About Relay For Life
Relay For Life (RFL) is a global movement founded in May 1985. Since then, it has raised about $6.8 billion to fight cancer and gathered over 4 million participants who took part in RFL across the globe annually, making it one of the world’s largest fundraisers.
Singapore is the 25th member country to organise RFL. Singapore Cancer Society – TalkMed Relay For Life 2023 aims to rally the local community to celebrate the lives of those who battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that has taken so much.

About Singapore Cancer Society
Established in 1964, the Singapore Cancer Society (SCS) is a self-funded social service agency which provides care services to cancer patients in need in areas such as cancer control and prevention, patient support services, and palliative care. SCS key services include cancer screening programmes, public education, financial and welfare services, psychosocial support, rehabilitation programmes and hospice care. For more information, please visit www.singaporecancersociety.org.sg

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For more information, please contact:

Rachel Kooi
Corporate Affairs
rachel_kooi@singaporecancersociety.org.sg
9796 4157 

Camilla Adindamaulani
Manager, Corporate Affairs
camilla_adinda@singaporecancersociety.org.sg
9762 870