SINGAPORE — Paediatric Brain and Solid Tumour Awareness (PBSTA) Day, now in its 12th year, has grown beyond a student-led initiative into a community platform supporting children with cancer and their families.
The 2026 edition brought together 22 paediatric cancer patients, their families and caregivers, supported by 50 Duke-NUS medical student volunteers working alongside clinicians from KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) and the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI).
Brain tumours are among the most common solid tumours in children worldwide and carry a high disease burden and mortality risk. Families often face physical, emotional, and financial strain that extends beyond hospital treatment.
This year’s programme, held at One-Degree 15 Marina, featured musical performances, carnival games, and a sports car joyride organised by Porsche Club Singapore. Public outreach included awareness booths and a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Felicia Chua of NNI, with participation from survivors, caregivers, and clinicians.
“PBSTA Day is meaningful because it helps raise awareness of paediatric brain tumours while bringing together patients, families, clinicians and the wider community,” Chua said. “Raising awareness is not only about understanding disease from a clinical perspective, but also about standing with patients and families with compassion and hope.”
Isabel Crisostomo, a Duke-NUS student and PBSTA committee member, said: “In the classroom, we learn about the biology of a tumour, but in the community, we learn about the weight of a life. While we may not always have the cure today, we must always have the compassion to stand by our patients until we find one.”
Associate Professor Shiva Sarraf-Yazdi, Vice Dean of Education at Duke-NUS, added: “Our mission is to develop doctors who combine science with compassionate advocacy. Initiatives like PBSTA reflect this aim, as students engage the community to create moments of joy and connection.”
PBSTA Day underscores the role of medicine beyond diagnosis and treatment — offering dignity, solidarity, and hope to families navigating paediatric cancer.
