Cover Ho Geok Choo, Cheng Wai Keung, Heng Swee Keat, Ann Sim, William Hwang, Lim Soon Thye
Ho Geok Choo, Cheng Wai Keung, Heng Swee Keat, Ann Sim, William Hwang, Lim Soon Thye
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Generous donors made transformative gifts to the NCCS Cancer Fund to boost holistic cancer care
The year 2023 saw the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) herald a new era in cancer care with the opening of its new NCCS building, which has increased capacity and expanded facilities dedicated to cancer care, rehabilitation, research and education to meet the evolving needs of all Singaporeans.
At its biennial Charity Gala Dinner, which took place after a five-year hiatus on October 22, at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, the leading national and regional tertiary cancer centre took the opportunity to thank its donors and partners, who have supported its vision to improve cancer care, advance cancer research and enable more cancer survivors to live longer and live well.
The evening opened with a performance by the graceful aerialists and dancers of Aerial Lollipop, before NCCS CEO William Hwang made his opening address. Thanking the like-minded individuals who share NCCS’s vision, Hwang says, “With more Singaporeans being affected by cancer, strong philanthropic support helps to establish programmes that provide much-needed support to patients and their caregivers, and enables clinicians and scientists to pursue impactful cancer research that will improve health outcomes.”
Cheng Wai Keung, Lee Kim Shin, Heng Swee Keat, William Hwang, Lim Soon Thye
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Heng Swee Keat, Singapore’s deputy prime minister and coordinating minister for Economic Policies, who was the evening’s guest of honour, highlighted the importance of community initiatives to support cancer patients, and how “NCCS itself provides not just excellent clinical care, but also psycho-social care to patients”. Much of this is enabled by the NCCS Cancer Fund, which helps to alleviate the burden of cancer for patients and their families.
Tokens of appreciation were given out to the NCCS donors and supporters, who have pledged more than SG$27 million to boost holistic cancer care. These transformative gifts to the NCCS Cancer Fund include a pledge of SG$20 million from Mrs Margaret Lien to establish the Lien Ying Chow Endowment Fund, which will enable NCCS to provide patients with holistic psycho-social cancer care and improve support for patients during their treatment journey.
The Goh Foundation pledged SG$6.35 million to establish the Inspire (INnovation in Supportive and Palliative CaRE) Programme, which provides needs-based health coaching as well as grief and bereavement support, while The New Century Foundation’s SG$1 million gift will enable clinicians and scientists to harness technology such as artificial intelligence, to introduce innovations in cancer research and care, to improve health outcomes.
Above Vikna Rajah, the chairperson of the NCCS Charity Gala Dinner 2023 organising committee
Vikna Rajah, the chairperson of the NCCS Charity Gala Dinner 2023 organising committee
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Peter Ng, a former jazz pianist and donor and supporter of NCCS, later presented a piano performance—using only two fingers—of Cinema Paradiso, before Vikna Rajah, the chairperson of the NCCS Charity Gala Dinner 2023 organising committee, announced that nearly SG$2 million was raised from the evening’s live and silent auctions, which will help the NCCS give its patients the best treatment outcomes.
A performance of Spain and Por Una Cabeza by musician David Loke and his band wrapped up the evening on a high note.
Seated, from left to right: Goh Hak Su, Kwee Liong Tek, Tan Ser Kiat, Fang Ai Lian, Eileen Magnus, Edward D’Silva. Standing, from left to right: Lim Hong Tan, Teh Bin Tean, Ho Geok Choo, Chan Hui Yuh, Clarence Ling
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As Senior Editor of Tatler Singapore, Hashirin champions and refines the storytelling across platforms—curating and crafting compelling profiles, cover stories and features that spotlight visionaries shaping culture, business and impact. Driven by curiosity, she draws inspiration from the artists, changemakers and trailblazers she encounters through her work. Beyond the pages of Tatler, she is an avid supporter of local theatre and delights in seeking out art in every city she visits.
