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At 66, most people would be thinking about slowing down. But for Lim Shyang Guey, he’s doing the exact opposite.
Instead of resting, he’s preparing to run 2,200km across Peninsular Malaysia not for himself, but for a cause that changed his life forever.
A love cut short
Hailing from Penang, Shyang Guey spent the last 25 years living in Hong Kong. But no matter where life took him, one dream remained constant: to travel across Malaysia with his wife, Joo Lee.
“We wanted to see Malaysia by walking and had planned to do so for years. Unfortunately, Joo Lee got diagnosed with cancer and within four months, she was gone.
“During the last months of her life, I was her caregiver and it was a difficult job.
Even in such a short time, I experienced firsthand the emotional and physical toll of caring for someone with cancer,” he said.
A book that sparked a life-changing idea
While grieving his wife’s passing, Shyang Guey turned to books written by others who too had lost their spouses.
But out of so many, Lawrence Carter’s story was the only one that spoke to him.
“After losing his wife to cancer, he decided to walk thousands of kilometres across England and Wales to raise awareness about the disease.
“I was so moved by his story that I even reached out to Lawrence personally,” he recounted.
That conversation soon led to Shyang Guey promising to himself that he would make the dream of travelling across Malaysia on foot, one he shared with Joo Lee, into reality.
Following multiple discussions with the National Cancer Society, he’s set to embark on a 2,200km run across Malaysia to support children with cancer, a fitting tribute to his late wife.
More than just a run
While Shyang Guey admits that what he’s doing sounds extreme, it isn’t just about completing a 2,200km run.
“It’s about honouring my wife, fulfilling a shared dream, and giving hope to families going through what I once did.
“In fact, if you were to ask me, I can already imagine my wife’s yelling in the background: ‘You’re crazy!’
“But deep down, I know she would support me all the way. After all, we’ve done plenty of crazy things together before.”
Through his journey, Shyang Guey hopes to inspire both young and old, and to tell them that life’s too short to wait for the perfect time to do something extraordinary.
“Don’t wait until you’re told you have cancer to start doing what you want in life.
“Some also assume that I must be wealthy to take on something like this, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. I don’t own a car, and I take public transport.
“What I’m trying to say is that you don’t have to be rich to do things. You just need the will,” he added.
Making a difference
Addressing those who may not have the capacity to embark on a 2,200km run across the country, Shyang Guey said they can still make an impact through small acts.
“Open up your wallet and donate if you can. Every little bit helps and there are a lot of people less fortunate than us. Let’s do something for them.”
For Shyang Guey, this isn’t just a physical challenge. It’s a tribute, a continuation of love, and a way to give back to society.
As he prepares to take on the road across Peninsular Malaysia, one thing is clear: this journey isn’t just about distance, but purpose.
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