Mark Chay Prioritises Health and Family Following Leukaemia Diagnosis
Mark Chay, the current president of Singapore Aquatics (SAQ), has been diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia. The 42-year-old will not seek re-election when his two-year term ends in August. In an exclusive interview with The Straits Times, Chay discussed his reasons for stepping down, emphasising his health and the need to focus on organising the 2025 World Aquatics Championships.
Prioritising Health and Organisational Commitments
Chay stated that his primary concern is to focus on his health and family. “The first consideration for my decision is to focus on organising the 2025 World Aquatics Championships with fellow organising committee co-chairperson Alan Goh,” Chay explained. He added, “The second is my health. It is about re-prioritisation, focusing on getting well, as well as spending more time with my family.”
Mark Chay’s Legacy and Contributions
A former national swimmer, Chay has had an illustrious career, representing Singapore at the SEA, Asian, Commonwealth, and Olympic Games. He was named Sportsboy and Sportsman of the Year in 2001 and 2002, respectively.
During his tenure as SAQ president, Chay oversaw a successful 2023 SEA Games outing in Cambodia, where national swimmers dominated the pool with 22 golds and regained the men’s water polo gold. He also managed the complex challenges of the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, where Singapore’s swimmers earned one silver and ten fourth-place finishes.
Despite the mixed results, Chay regarded the performance as a significant achievement, especially highlighting the women’s water polo team’s debut at the world championships in Qatar.
Understanding Mark Chay’s Leukaemia Diagnosis
Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is a type of cancer that originates in the bone marrow, where blood cells are produced. It primarily affects white blood cells, causing the bone marrow to produce an excessive number of abnormal cells. These cells can crowd out healthy blood cells, leading to various health complications. Symptoms of CML often develop gradually and may include fatigue, weight loss, fever, night sweats, and an enlarged spleen, which can cause discomfort or pain in the abdomen.
CML progresses through different phases: the chronic phase, the accelerated phase, and the blast crisis phase. In the chronic phase, which can last several years, the disease progresses slowly, and symptoms are often mild or absent. If untreated, CML can advance to the accelerated and blast crisis phases, where it becomes more aggressive and harder to treat.
Diagnosis of CML typically involves blood tests, bone marrow tests, and genetic tests to identify the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome, a specific genetic abnormality associated with CML. Early diagnosis and targeted treatments, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), are crucial for managing the disease effectively. TKIs can control the growth of abnormal cells and help achieve remission, improving the patient’s prognosis and quality of life.
Chay’s diagnosis was confirmed after a second opinion and specialist consultations. He shared his experience, stating, “When you receive news like this, you don’t really know what’s going on. My wife was with me when I got the report. I sought a second opinion and went to a specialist and they confirmed this is the situation.” He also mentioned undergoing several consultations and starting oral chemotherapy, which aims to control the disease and bring it into remission.
Succession and Future Plans
The SAQ must hold its annual general meeting by September 30, where a new president will be elected. Chay has endorsed SAQ secretary-general Kenneth Goh as his successor. Goh, a former national swimmer and academic director at Singapore Management University, expressed his readiness to step up.
Continuing the Legacy
Despite stepping down from the SAQ presidency, Chay remains committed to contributing to the sports community. He will retain his role at the Global Esports Federation and looks forward to spending more time with his family while managing his health.
Image credit: Facebook/Mark Chay
References
1. Lee, D. (2024, July 19). Singapore Aquatics president Mark Chay diagnosed with leukaemia, will not run for second term. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/singapore-aquatics-president-mark-chay-diagnosed-with-leukemia-will-not-run-for-second-term
