News: LKCMedicine gives back to the community 

 


By Kimberley Wang, Manager, Media and Publications, Communications and Outreach



Over the next two months, the LKCMedicine community is putting their best foot forward to hit the pavement and do their part in raising funds for the financially disadvantaged. 

Run It Forward 2022, the third edition of the School’s annual charity run, aims to raise funds for the President’s Challenge, LKCMedicine Advancement Fund and NTU Priorities Fund. Participants can pledge to run 10km, 30km or 300km (as an individual or team of four). Besides giving back to the community, the run highlights the importance of mental and physical wellbeing through the adoption of enjoyable and healthy exercise. 

The President’s Challenge, which has been a beneficiary of Run It Forward since its inaugural edition, supports various disadvantaged communities in Singapore through its 82 beneficiaries. The NTU Priorities Fund was set up in 2020 to address urgent financial needs faced by NTU students affected by COVID-19 with no other recourse for help while the LKCMedicine Advancement Fund allows the School to in areas which are most needed to advance its vision of redefining medicine and transforming healthcare.

On 11 November, LKCMedicine Governing Board Chairman Mr Lim Chuan Poh and Dean Professor Joseph Sung kicked off Run It Forward 2022, together with other running enthusiasts from the Core Leadership Group, faculty, staff and students. After a flag off by Chief Operating Officer Dr Serene Ng, the group ran a lap starting from the Clinical Sciences Building Plaza, past the National Centre for Infectious Diseases, Centre for Healthcare Innovation, Tan Tock Seng Hospital and back to the Plaza.

To date, over 140 participants have registered and pledged to cover more than 13,000km from 11 November 2022 until 11 February 2023. To show his support, Mr Lim has personally pledged to run 300km and has since completed over 250km!

Leading by example, Prof Sung has formed a team of four called “Smartan 300” comprising LKCMedicine faculty and staff. In a recent blog, he wrote about personal insights gained when he picked up running and encouraged all to take part in this meaningful activity. “Whether you are 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 or 70 years of age, don’t hesitate. Come join us in “Run it Forward” this year and start your own wonderful journey of life,” he said. 

Jessica Ang, LKCMedicine Lead for Educational Development, who is participating as a team with her fellow team-based learning facilitators, said, “I am glad that I joined as it was a lot more enjoyable clocking the mileage with my team. We developed a sense of camaraderie and spurred each other to go the extra miles. We were also kept on our toes beyond the learning studio! Memorable!”

Nanyang Assistant Professor Christine Wong persuaded her team, fondly named Neutromania @ CW Lab, to join the charity run together so that they are more motivated to get active and exercise. “Run It Forward – start by stepping out of the comfort zone! Make the time count, not just count the time while running,” she said.

Launched in 2020 in celebration of the School’s 10th anniversary, Run It Forward received strong support from the LKCMedicine community who collectively raised more than $120,000, well above the original target of $50,000.  

The second edition which was held from mid-October to December 2021 was another resounding success and raised over $230,000. Some 740 runners comprising LKCMedicine staff and students, along with their friends and families, accumulated over 99,550km. 

With the School coming together to do good once again, Run It Forward 2022 looks set to achieve and potentially surpass its goal of raising $150,000 to pay it forward and help disadvantaged communities.

Registration for “Run It Forward 2022” is now open. Gather your family, friends and colleagues and join us in paying it forward through staying active. Challenge your peers in the virtual race leadership board and stand to win prizes such as shopping vouchers and Apple Watches in upcoming contests and lucky draws.

Register here to join today! You can also support “Run It Forward 2022” by making a gift to President’s Challenge, LKCMedicine Advancement Fund or NTU Priorities Fund. Gifts above $10 will attract a 250 per cent tax deduction. With your support, we can achieve our goal of $150,000!