Brain Tumour Society (Singapore) Limited

This post was originally published on The Straits Times.

SINGAPORE – A charity drive aimed at spreading awareness about brain tumours raised more than $32,000 on Sunday (July 31).

Hosted by the Brain Tumour Society Singapore (BTSS), the event returned after a four-year hiatus and offered patients joyrides in 16 Lamborghini cars.

Held in collaboration with Lamborghini Club Singapore, the Brainy Car Rally was held at Outram Community Hospital.

Besides the round trips between Singapore General Hospital in Outram and HarbourFront in Telok Blangah, the event also featured interactive stations that simulate brain surgery.

At the stations, participants can wear virtual reality goggles to view surgery in 3D and try out tools used in neurosurgery.

They can also “experience” the pre- and post-operation assessments typically done during awake brain surgery.

Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Health Rahayu Mahzam, who attended the event as guest of honour, said brain tumours are not as rare as they are often believed to be.

“In Singapore, brain and central nervous system cancers are the third and sixth most common cancers affecting those below 30 years old for males and females respectively,” she said.

While a diagnosis of brain tumour can be devastating, she added that she is heartened by the community’s support for such patients.

Of the rally held on Sunday to bring the community together, Ms Mahzam said: “It is assuring to know BTSS stands ready to support them at every stage of their journey.”

What better way to start the new year than a refreshing walk in one of the many NParks in Singapore!

4 youth beneficiaries and their families met up in the early morning of 22 January at Upper Thomson Pierce Reservoir for the walk. The walk was organised by our new EXCO member, Peter Koh. Though it was the first time meeting one another, it took no time for them to start chatting up. After walking for 2 hours, the group could not resist heading to Casuarina Restaurant for the mouth-smacking pratas.

We would like to make such walks a regular feature this year for BTSS beneficiaries. If you are keen to join us, please send us an email to [email protected]

Zechariah was 11 year old when he departed very suddenly on 2nd September 2020 due to a malignant brain tumour. In memory of her beloved son, Juliana captured his life through a merchandise collection called “Life is a Wonder”

Quote Zechariah, “you can wonder on everything in life but it is the beautiful things in life that you must admire. You may not live long but life is just a wonder”.

Juliana has generously donated the proceeds from “Life is a Wonder” collection to BTSS. Last weekend, she also contributed a range of merchandises that were packed as ‘Blessings in a Bag’ and delivered by our wonderful volunteers to our BTSS Kids.

Thank you Juliana for bringing smiles to us and inspiring us to admire and enjoy all the beautiful things in life, just like Zechariah did.

To read more of Zechariah’s story, do check the website: https://www.itismez3ch.com/

A fun-filled Sunday afternoon with our young beneficiaries of BTSS. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic posing restrictions on physical events, BTSS and students from Hwa Chong Institution (Project Solaris) still managed to bring the event fully virtual through Zoom.
Our youth gained a better appreciation for nature and the need to protect our environment which is no easy task!
We hope all participants enjoyed themselves and will continue to care for their little Terrariums – developing patience and responsibility during this process!

On Easter Sunday, a group of student volunteers from Dulwich College Singapore in collaboration with BTSS, put together Carepacks consisting of masks, hand sanitizers, stationaries, chocolates and an Easter activity set that were distributed to 20 beneficiaries of BTSS. The youth volunteers raised funds to sponsor and deliver the Carepacks to the families on Easter day. Our young volunteers shared that it was a humbling and meaningful service for all of them.

A big thank you to the team of youth volunteers that collaborated with BTSS to show their solidarity to our cause.