SINGAPORE, 4th June 2018

The National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) launched a Fundraising Campaign yesterday to raise funds for cancer care, research, education and prevention. 

The theme of the campaign is centred on “Survivors”. The objective is to create more cancer survivors and to strengthen the resolve of those living with a cancer diagnosis to look ahead with a new attitude, mind-set and an undaunted spirit for life. 

Cancer is still the leading cause of death in Singapore. At least 1 in 4 Singaporeans will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their life.  By the year 2030, the number of cancer cases is expected to at least double, compared to 2012. 

At the campaign launch held at the Outram Campus, Associate Professor William Hwang, Medical Director, NCCS, said this phenomena is because of Singaporeans’ current lifestyle and also with our people living longer. 

“But just because we are living longer, why should we allow cancer to interfere in our aging process? This is where our researchers and their counterparts elsewhere and around the world are working hard to find the answers. We need to urgently find better ways to prevent, detect and treat cancer,” said Associate Professor Hwang, in his speech at the launch ceremony. 

Also in attendance was Ms Goh Chiat Jin, who represented Mr Goh Cheng Liang as the Guest-of-Honour. The Goh Foundation has donated $50 million towards the proton therapy facility. The proton treatment facility will be named the Goh Cheng Liang Proton Therapy Centre. It will be housed in the new NCCS building which is scheduled to open in 2022.

With a target of $150 million, the funds will be channelled to a costed programme covering important areas such as Immunotherapy, Asian-Specific Cancer Research, Supportive Care, Cancer Prevention and Education. The campaign had a “pre-launch phase” which started in 2014.  So far the campaign has raised $80 million.  The campaign launched its “public phase” to raise the balance of $70 million from philanthropists, foundations, corporates, and the general public. An advertising campaign will take the campaign message to the general public.

Associate Professor Hwang added that the Campaign is a salute to cancer survivors and to honour them. By making more survivors, it would mean the push against cancer is successful.  

“We hope that by telling the stories about our survivors in an honest, empathetic and open way, we can help people understand our Survivors’ defiance in the face of adversity and the fight that we have to put up against cancer. We need everybody’s support and every donation for this campaign. Making more survivors will show us how successful we have been in our battle against cancer. It means we can help those diagnosed with cancer to overcome and survive,” he said.

“I’m really grateful to be alive, because I’ve not only survived cancer once, but twice,” said 46 year-old Mr Cayden Chang, one of the campaign ambassadors at the event. He was diagnosed with renal cancer in 2010 and was subsequently treated in NCCS. 

“When I play with my daughters, I pay attention to all the little things – their eyes, mouth and all their micro-expressions. I want to know and remember them all. I hope that one day, someone out there will be able to find a cure for cancer,” said Mr Chang. 

Apart from Mr Chang, the rest of the 8 campaign ambassadors were also at the launch ceremony on 3 June. 

National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) provides a holistic and multi-disciplinary approach to cancer treatment and patient care. We see close to 65 per cent of the public sector oncology cases, and they are benefiting from the sub-specialisation of our clinical oncologists. 

To deliver among the best in cancer treatment and care, our clinicians work closely with our scientists who conduct robust cutting-edge clinical and translational research programmes which are internationally recognised.  NCCS strives to be a global leading cancer centre, and shares its expertise and knowledge by offering training to local and overseas medical professionals.

For more information about NCCS, please visit www.nccs.com.sg

For more information, please contact:

National Cancer Centre Singapore

Rachel Tan

Manager, Corporate Communications

Tel: 6236 9535

Email: rachel.tan.c.h@nccs.com.sg 

Alson Tan

Executive, Corporate Communications

Tel: 6236 9424

Email: alson.tan.w.j@nccs.com.sg