Relay For Life Singapore is an inspiring overnight community event organised by the Singapore Cancer Society and offers everyone in Singapore the opportunity to join in the fight against cancer.
Click here to view the Relay For Life 2018 photos at the photo gallery.
At the event, people from all walks of life walked or ran around the Singapore Sports Hub National Stadium track, at their own pace.
The event, which took place from last Saturday evening to Sunday morning, gave everyone a chance to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost to cancer and fight back by raising awareness and funds to support the work of the Singapore Cancer Society.
Runners had 15 hours to clock 100km
Runners had about 15 hours altogether, from 6pm the previous night to 9am the next morning, to clock at least 100km on the track, either in teams of as few or many people as they wanted, or individually.
Her friend died from cancer
Loh Lay Leng, 58, a practising solicitor, was one of those who took part. She did so to remember her friend who had just passed away from lymphoma and had signed up as a team with one friend.
Said Lay Leng, “A friend of mine just died from cancer and if you ask me about it, I will cry. She was 73 and she survived three times over a span of 25 years but she did not make it on the fourth time.”
A good impression of the event
Taking part in the Relay For Life for the first time, Lay Leng had a good impression of the event. She said, “The event was wonderfiul and it was really inspiring to see the number of participants who support the Singapore Cancer Society. I took part and I was so impressed. So far I have run ten rounds of the track and I am stopping for a break now. The atmosphere is also wonderful and the Luminarie bags are a great idea where you put the names of those fighting or passed away from cancer.”
Liked the community bonding aspect
Also finding the event to have been great fun was Martin Ullrich, 52, an IT software consultant who said, “This is a good event because you are doing something for a great cause. We signed up as a team of six people and we will see how many rounds of the track we can do altogether. I really liked the community bonding aspect of this event where runners come together and bond for 15 hours. It may be a bit hot inside the stadium but running 100km, we have a dedicated lane to ourselves so it is not too bad though.”
He added, |It is also great to be doing something for a good cause and help others in their endeavour to cure cancer.”
Came to support cancer awareness and research
Said another participant, Gan Keng You, 35, a market researcher, “I came to support cancer awareness and cancer survivors who have the courage to move on. I am not a regular runner but I feel that it is important that more people are aware of the needs of cancer patients and how to help them.”
He added, “Today a lot of young people are kept busy with their own lives and are generally not aware of what is going on in society and the importance of helping cancer patients”
Keng You is thankful that he does not yet know anyone who has had a brush with cancer but he wants to do whatever he can do to help, such as by taking part in the Relay For Life or by giving donations to aid with cancer research.
He said, “My friends and I did the 100km challenge and we are all going to run a total time of 14 hours on the track. It will definitely be a long night but what we are doing is nothing compared to what cancer victims have to go through.”
Click here to view the Relay For Life 2018 photos at the photo gallery.
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