Keeping the hope running

Runners being flagged off at Run For Hope 2016 at The Promontory @ Marina Bay on Jan 31. The event, which has raised over $2.4 million since 2008 for cancer research and awareness, will return on Feb 19.
Runners being flagged off at Run For Hope 2016 at The Promontory @ Marina Bay on Jan 31. The event, which has raised over $2.4 million since 2008 for cancer research and awareness, will return on Feb 19. PHOTO: RUN FOR HOPE

The annual Run For Hope, having already raised over $2.4 million since 2008, is hoping to raise more when it returns on Feb 19.

Participants will include cancer survivor Kate Wong, a 75-year-old who had breast cancer. She was diagnosed in 2002 when she was a kindergarten principal. She recovered after going through a mastectomy, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy.

"It helped me decide to quit my stressful job to stop and smell the roses," said Ms Wong. "It gave me the opportunity to meet other cancer survivors and take up fulfilling activities such as dragon boating with the Pink Spartans, an activity I am still active in." Pink Spartans is a dragon boat team for cancer survivors.

Run For Hope, organised by Four Seasons Hotel, Regent Singapore and National Cancer Centre (NCC) Singapore, will include a 3.5km Fun Run which passes along local landmarks like the ArtScience Museum and Esplanade -Theatres on the Bay.

Runners can also gear up for the 10km run, which is routed along Gardens by the Bay. Both routes flag off at the Bayfront Event Space.

The run raises funds for cancer research and awareness. Each year, over 10,000 people are diagnosed with cancer. The disease accounts for one in four deaths in Singapore.

The money benefits the NCC Research Fund, the flagship fund-raising and grant-making channel of the National Cancer Centre Singapore.

While registration for the run costs $55 for adults, there is a host of discounts, including for pair and group registrations and early birds, ending on Nov 15. It is free for children aged four and below.

Runners can register for the run or donate online at http://www.runforhope.sg/

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on November 02, 2016, with the headline Keeping the hope running. Subscribe