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See how much has been raised thus far from our fundraising counter, updated regularly.

Last updated:  19/3/2019

$425,778

NEWS

Salt & Light Feature:

Running 200km in 45 hours: Hospice president Dr Tan Poh Kiang says, it is “God’s path for me”

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Salt & Light reveals and details the motivations and aspirations behind Dr Tan Poh Kiang's fundraising cause, as well as the passion and inspiration behind his support for HCA's work in palliative and hospice care.

Read more to hear Dr Tan speak about his personal journey through the years of following his calling, and using his unique talents to do good.

Article can be found here:

http://saltandlight.sg/news/running-200km-in-45-hours-hospice-president-dr-tan-poh-kiang-says-it-is-gods-path-for-me/

Straits Times Feature:

"It Changed My Life: This doctor is set to run 200km in 44 hours"

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On 3 March 2019, Dr Tan Poh Kiang was featured on the Sunday Times (page B9 of the Insight Section, or article found online) - the article featured his individual experience finding his calling to serve others as well as his motivation to run an ultramarathon to support HCA and its work. 

Find out more about the race and his journey of volunteering and running for a good cause, and don't forget to check out the Straits Times video!

Video and article can be found here:

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/this-doctor-is-set-to-run-200km-in-44-hours

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A Good Death

Two dear friends once quipped that they could raise the same amount of money (or more!) for charity without as much torture as involved in my ultrarunning by organising charity golf events. They were absolutely right! However, I am still not persuaded even when it is always true: golf events always raise more money for charity than any running event. I have mulled over this matter and am convinced - more than ever - that for me the appropriate manner of raising funds for the end-of-life cause is through running for hours on end.


Over the 5 years as the president of HCA Hospice Care, I have learned that one can die poorly - in pain and in loneliness.Two pertinent things I have learned through ultrarunning help me relate to the dying person:

1. No matter how well I prepare for an ultramarathon, I will experience pain. Similarly, even though there are many pain-relieving drugs and interventions available, a terminally ill patient has to live with a certain measure of pain. Instead of wishing the pain away during an extremely long run, I learn to cope with and befriend my pain.

2. Although running is an individual effort, no one really completes an ultra by himself. Even elite ultrarunners are dependent on a crew to support them during their races. I start and finish the 200 kilometres as an individual runner but along the way, a community of caring family members and friends embrace me and help me cross the finish line. This teaches me that one will always need sources of support and care, in order to die well.


As I run, I develop a better understanding of what constitutes a good death. When my time comes - when I am diagnosed with a terminal illness - I will lean on modern medical science to alleviate my pain. Even more importantly, I will lean into my circle of loved ones so that I do not travel the final miles of my life journey by myself. What drugs cannot eradicate in my suffering, the pure love and care from my fellow human beings will help overcome. No one should walk this final stretch alone. Everyone deserves a good death.



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