To celebrate the 117th anniversary of the Port of Kaohsiung, the Kaohsiung Branch of Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC), together with the Association of Taiwan Ports, Star Cruises, the Taiwan Breast Cancer Alliance, and Chung Shan Industrial & Commercial School, jointly held the "White Gala – Dancing with Hope, Setting Sail for Happiness" charity event at the Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal. Centered on care for breast cancer survivors and combining cruise industry promotion with social inclusion, the event demonstrated concrete corporate action toward sustainable development and social responsibility.
Led by Chairperson Huang Shu-fang of the Taiwan Breast Cancer Alliance, 60 breast cancer survivors stepped outdoors for the event, wearing white gowns symbolizing hope and renewal. On the stage of a luxury cruise ship, they told stories of overcoming illness through resilient and graceful dance, conveying courage and strength that moved everyone present. Faculty and students of Chung Shan Industrial & Commercial School also contributed through social service, assisting with hair and makeup and bringing youth and warmth to the occasion. The students' sincere blessing—"Your smiles are truly beautiful!"—moved many of the survivors to tears and helped them once again feel the beauty of life and the power of companionship.
In recent years, TIPC has continued to advance sustainable operations and diversity and inclusion, making the development of Taiwan's cruise industry a key strategic priority. Through proactive international business visits, participation in cruise forums, preferential measures for international passenger vessels, and ongoing upgrades to Cruise Terminal facilities and service quality, TIPC has demonstrated its commitment to strengthening cruise industry competitiveness. This year, Star Cruises' Explorer Star made the Port of Kaohsiung its home port and expanded diversified southbound itineraries, showcasing the Port of Kaohsiung's strengths as southern Taiwan's maritime gateway and opening a new chapter in Kaohsiung home-port cruise development.
Guided by a spirit of care, TIPC has long accompanied breast cancer survivors and, through charity events at ports across Taiwan, turned love and hope into concrete action. This year, the landmark Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal was specially chosen, and the occasion of a cruise home-port call was leveraged to jointly create this White Gala symbolizing "renewal," so that every survivor could feel the warmth and strength of the port, embark on a new chapter in life, and witness the Company's continued commitment to corporate social responsibility.
During the event, one survivor who had completed treatment shared movingly: "I thought I no longer had the strength to stand on stage, but today I realized that I have never been alone." This sincere reflection touched everyone present and resonated deeply with society on the power of companionship.
TIPC Chairman Chou Yung-hui said he was deeply honored that such a meaningful event could bring "caring for breast cancer survivors " and "promoting cruise business" together on a shared voyage, and expressed hope that it would raise public awareness of breast cancer prevention and encourage collective efforts for public health. At the close of the event, TIPC prepared four Star Cruises tickets drawn personally by Chairman Chou; Dream Cruises Vice President Hsu Mu-jou, also moved by the survivors' resilience, added two more lucky winners on the spot, bringing the event to a warm and fulfilling close and symbolizing a happy departure filled with blessings and hope.
