Two breast cancer surgeons on Tuesday set out on a motorcycle journey from Singapore to Sweden to raise awareness of the potentially deadly condition.
The pair started their trip, called The Long Ride, at the National University Health System in Kent Ridge.
Associate professors Philip Iau and Mikael Hartman, from the National University of Singapore Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, will ride through 17 countries, including Laos, China and Uzbekistan, in the name of breast cancer research and education.
They will be stopping for seminars at local institutions in seven cities, starting with Penang on Sunday.
“We hope to help the region to come to a tipping point… where it becomes completely natural to get your breasts checked,” said Prof Hartman, a Swede.
A total of $3 million has been raised through donations and sponsorships, all of which goes to the Breast Cancer Research Fund administered by the university.
On Monday, the two surgeons said they were “nervous but excited”.
To support them, the university’s surgery department head Lee Chuen Neng will be a co-driver in the main four-wheel-drive support vehicle.
Former Singapore Tourism Board and army chief Lim Neo Chian – Professor Lee’s friend – will also be driving. Said Mr Lim: “It’s always good to travel with a purpose. Other than the medical aspect, it’s also a good way to have the Singapore flag flying in other countries.”
Their vehicle will ferry a nurse, camera crew, first-aid kits and bike equipment. The team is expected to return to Singapore in the first week of July. Follow their progress at longrideSS.com.
Source: The Straits Times