Adventurer denies he has leukaemia
I AM very grateful for The Straits Times' strong support which has contributed to the success of my many sporting and philanthropic projects during the past two decades. I have always respected the paper for accurate and responsible reporting in the past. Unfortunately, it was not the case yesterday.
The Sunday Times reported me as having acute myelogenous leukaemia or AML ('Paraplegic adventurer battling leukaemia'). I do not have AML.
It is not surprising that from time to time, athletes become unwell from sports injuries or chronic illnesses. For instance, I broke my sixth left rib during a collision with a donkey in Cairo during an ultra marathon event. Then I had a stress fracture of the seventh left rib in Boston last year during the selection trial for the Beijing Paralympics. However, I bounced back after months of quiet recuperation.
Like all human beings, I do have my share of chronic illnesses and pain, which are confidential and do not warrant any major concern and publicity. It is all part of our journey in life. Notwithstanding, I have been busy training. In fact, I just competed at the Singapore Disability Sports Council's selection trials for the Asean Para Games in August. I am busy preparing for a world-record attempt some time this year to raise funds towards The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.
There are important national security, health-care and financial issues to worry us already. We do not need to add such inaccurate news to the burden. I am requesting a public apology as the irresponsible reporting has raised concerns and confusion among friends, loved ones and family. I am particularly worried for my frail 82-year-old mother for whom we celebrated Mother's Day yesterday. She might get a misrepresentation of my health and suffer an emotional breakdown.
Dr William Tan
Peak Performance and Resilience Speaker
EDITOR'S NOTE: We apologise to Dr Tan and his family for the error.
I AM very grateful for The Straits Times' strong support which has contributed to the success of my many sporting and philanthropic projects during the past two decades. I have always respected the paper for accurate and responsible reporting in the past. Unfortunately, it was not the case yesterday.
The Sunday Times reported me as having acute myelogenous leukaemia or AML ('Paraplegic adventurer battling leukaemia'). I do not have AML.
It is not surprising that from time to time, athletes become unwell from sports injuries or chronic illnesses. For instance, I broke my sixth left rib during a collision with a donkey in Cairo during an ultra marathon event. Then I had a stress fracture of the seventh left rib in Boston last year during the selection trial for the Beijing Paralympics. However, I bounced back after months of quiet recuperation.
Like all human beings, I do have my share of chronic illnesses and pain, which are confidential and do not warrant any major concern and publicity. It is all part of our journey in life. Notwithstanding, I have been busy training. In fact, I just competed at the Singapore Disability Sports Council's selection trials for the Asean Para Games in August. I am busy preparing for a world-record attempt some time this year to raise funds towards The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.
There are important national security, health-care and financial issues to worry us already. We do not need to add such inaccurate news to the burden. I am requesting a public apology as the irresponsible reporting has raised concerns and confusion among friends, loved ones and family. I am particularly worried for my frail 82-year-old mother for whom we celebrated Mother's Day yesterday. She might get a misrepresentation of my health and suffer an emotional breakdown.
Dr William Tan
Peak Performance and Resilience Speaker
EDITOR'S NOTE: We apologise to Dr Tan and his family for the error.
