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 embodies passion and resilience. Paralyzed from the waist down due to polio at age two, he overcame immense challenges to excel academically and professionally. From a kindergarten dropout, he earned scholarships to Singapore’s Raffles Institution and later graduated with First Class Honours in Physiology from the National University of Singapore. A Fulbright Scholar at Harvard and Chevening Scholar at Oxford, he also trained at the Mayo Clinic, pursuing his dream of becoming a scientist and physician.
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In 1987, Dr. Tan realized his achievements should serve greater causes. Since then, he has championed and fundraised for charities worldwide, raising over $18 million for causes like polio eradication and cancer treatment. His endeavors include wheelchair marathons across continents, skydiving, and scaling buildings to support underprivileged communities.​
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.​
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​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.
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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.