Umbrella walk raises RM125,000 for Lupus patients

Selangor Times PETALING JAYA: Over 1,000 umbrellas were raised by walkers in support of the World Lupus Day walkathon to spread awareness of the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) disease. Organised by Persatuan SLE Malaysia, the walk, entitled “Walk-a-Payung”, on May 20 raised RM125,000 for the organisation and its patients. SLE, also known as lupus, is a life-threatening disease that causes the body’s immune system to turn against the body’s own healthy tissues. Awareness of the debilitating disease, which affects 43 out of every 100,000 Malaysians, was also created when participants made their way through the roads of Dataran Sunway in Kota Damansara. “People suffering from Lupus face potential strokes, hearth attacks, disabling pain and fatigue and other serious health problems,” said the organisation’s president, Professor Dr Esha Das Gupta in a statement. “The sad part is that Lupus targets people in the most productive years of their life, people who should otherwise be healthy.” It’s estimated that 12,000 Malaysians, 90 per cent female and as young as four years old, suffer from the autoimmune disease. She said some funds raised this year will be channelled towards patients who require joint replacement and cataract operations. Osteoporosis and cataract problems are among the major side-effects resulting from long-term usage of steroid medication for the Lupus disease. Besides lack of public awareness, the disease is also not easy to diagnose, some taking up to months or even years to detect, depending on which organs are affected. Although there are 10,000 people diagnosed with SLE in Malaysia, the disease is still unknown to many, leaving patients feeling alone and rejected. Due to this, awareness events like Walk-a-Payung are needed to both raise funds and help the public and patients’ family members understand the disease more. On May 27, Persatuan SLE Malaysia in Johor will also be holding their Walk-a-Payung event at Columbia Asia Hospital in Nusa Jaya to bring together patients, family members and the public. Those interested in taking part can call 012-762 8002 (Addaline). Those wanting to donate or volunteer can contact the organisation at 03-79577672 (Cecilia Wong), email pslem@streamyx.com, pslemhq@gmail.com or visit www.lupusmalaysia.org.