THE JOURNEY
"Living life to the fullest means not only chasing my own personal dreams but living a life to benefit others. That is the best legacy."
Dr William Tan personifies both passion and compassion. Stricken with polio at the age of two and paralysed from the waist down, he overcame early educational setbacks to rise from kindergarten drop-out to top student at Selegie Primary School, and later Raffles Institution on a Ministry of Education scholarship.
He graduated from the National University of Singapore with a major in Life Sciences and began his career in the Civil Service. Driven by a desire to become both scientist and physician, he pursued further studies abroad, earning First Class Honours in Physiology and becoming a Harvard Fulbright Scholar and Oxford Chevening Scholar, with training at the Mayo Clinic.
In 2007, he became the first person to complete a wheelchair marathon at the North Pole in –25°C temperatures and later set a world record by finishing seven marathons across seven continents in 26 days. Diagnosed with Stage 4 leukemia in 2009, he turned adversity into advocacy, raising funds for needy cancer patients even during chemotherapy. His inspiring journey continued with handcycling challenges, including a 500km ride from London to Paris, to support leukemia research.
Dr. Tan’s contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including the Singapore Youth Award, the Commonwealth Youth Award, and the Reader’s Digest Inspiring Asian Award. He was also honored with the Public Service Star Award and the Commonwealth Points of Light Award from Queen Elizabeth II.
Despite his battles, Dr. Tan remains unstoppable. From competing in the Pyongyang Marathon to ferrying children in a 50-hour SG50 charity ride, his relentless dedication inspires countless individuals and organizations worldwide. His story is a testament to the power of perseverance and using one’s life to uplift others.