GEORGE TOWN, June 22 — Cancer awareness advocate and runner Lim Shyang Guey, commonly known as SG Lim, with the support of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM), has completed his Run for Gold journey, a 2,200km run across Peninsular Malaysia in an effort to raise awareness and funds for children battling cancer.
The journey concluded today with a closing ceremony at Penang Free School, officiated by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. Having flagged off on March 28, 2026 from the NCSM–MBPP Home of Hope at Rose Avenue in Penang, SG Lim returned to his home state after passing through all 11 states and federal territories in Peninsular Malaysia, completing the run one day ahead of his 67th birthday on June 22, 2026.
After almost three months on the road, the 66-year-old Penang-born runner covered approximately 2,200km, running between 25 and 35km daily with scheduled rest days in between.
He stayed mostly in homestays, shared accommodations and local hosts to connect with the community and listen to the experiences of individuals and families affected by the disease.
The run also served as the Torch Relay component of the Relay for Life Malaysia 2026 event, carrying the spirit of hope and solidarity from community to community along the route.
This nationwide message of solidarity highlights a critical reality, as childhood cancer remains a significant health challenge in Malaysia. According to the Malaysian National Cancer Registry 2012-2016, 3,829 cases of childhood cancer among children and adolescents aged 0 to 19 were recorded between 2012 and 2016.
These figures underline the importance of initiatives such as Run for Gold in raising both awareness and the resources needed to close the survival gap for young patients.
More than a physical feat, the run carried deep personal meaning for Lim. The journey was originally a dream he had shared with his late wife, Joo Lee, who passed away from cancer in August 2024 at the age of 63. The couple had once hoped to travel on foot around Peninsular Malaysia together.
SG Lim said, “This journey was driven by love, remembrance and the desire to make a difference. My wife and I once dreamed of travelling around Peninsular Malaysia on foot.
“After losing her to cancer, I felt compelled to complete this journey, not just for us but for the children who are bravely fighting cancer every day. Crossing the line here in Penang, where it all began, is the most meaningful moment of my life.”
Echoing the sentiment, Dr Murallitharan Munisamy, managing director of NCSM, said, “We are extremely proud of SG Lim for successfully completing this monumental physical and emotional journey, which has brought communities together across the nation.
“This run’s completion marks a milestone for our initiatives supporting childhood cancer, and the incredible generosity of the public will directly impact our ability to provide continuous support to young patients and their families when they need it most.”
Through this nationwide journey, Run for Gold set out to raise RM600,000 to support efforts for childhood cancer awareness and critical services for young patients and their families.
To date, the campaign has raised RM715,486.17 through QR, bank transfer, credit card contributions, and corporate donations, surpassing the set target. Donations of RM60,000 were also raised during the event, bringing the total funds raised to RM775,486.17.
Funds raised through Run for Gold will be channelled to NCSM, specifically towards childhood cancer support services such as the Children’s Home of Hope, psychosocial care and survivorship
programmes.
NCSM currently operates these services across Penang, Perak, and Kuala Lumpur. The Home of Hope provides a temporary place for cancer patients and their families to stay while undergoing cancer treatment to ease the burden of travel and accommodation so that patients can access care without disruption.
Penang holds particular significance for the initiative, as the run both began and ended in the state, where the NCSM Children’s Home of Hope continues to support families from across the northern region through every stage of treatment for a child.
This nationwide corporate and community effort was made possible through the support of several key partners and sponsors including IHH Healthcare, MCIS Life, Kobay Technology Berhad, ASICS, Exabytes, GARMIN, Aurelius Alor Setar, Kuantan and Nilai, and Salam Hospital Terengganu.
The initiative, titled Run for Gold, draws inspiration from the Gold Ribbon, the universal symbol for childhood cancer awareness, representing the preciousness of children and the courage, strength, and resilience of young patients and their families.
Members of the public who wish to make a lasting difference in the lives of children affected by cancer may still contribute through donations by clicking here.
