Winning and Dining:
WomeBizSENSE Raises RM750 for Charity During Christmas Lunch

It was a Christmas lunch that brought together love, charity and joy in the most meaningful way!

During our Christmas lunch on  7 December at Lynn's Cafe (on Burmah Road, before Giant Supermarket), our ladies group managed to raise RM 750 for charity!

The proceeds go towards the Malaysian SLE Association in aid of lupus patients.

During this luncheon, we had an exciting lucky draw too with prizes contributed by many of our ladies as well as kind well-wishers some as far as KL (thanks Rona of Katey's Gallery).  We had more than 30 items for our lucky draw and this meant everyone had a chance to go home with a nice gift or two.

Of course this is not the first time we are supporting a charity event or a non-profit organisation. We did it last year by collecting foodstuff and clothes for the poor and homeless. This year, we are supporting the Malaysian SLE Association because 90 per cent of SLE sufferers are women. Nancy, one of our ladies, gave us the idea because she is helping set up the Penang chapter for lupus sufferers and every little bit of funds help. So we decided, yes, why not help and raise some money? It is after all the season for giving.

Lunch was served as we began the picking the winners of the lucky draw. Nancy also spoke on lupus, giving the ladies some idea of what kind of disease it was. As we lunched, we enjoyed catching up with each other and some ladies said that 3 months once was not enough! Good feedback - Jo and I will definitely think about this and see how we can bridge the gap between the 3 months between our meets.

Pam cheerfully led us with her guitar into singing a number of carols such as Joy to the World. Braver ones like Jo, Kim, Joyce and Nancy stood up to join Pam while the rest of us sang along in our seats.

It was an afternoon to be cherished because it shows what women can do if we only put our thinking caps on. We met up, we networked, we ate and we raised money for charity.

Thanks to everyone who supported in one way or another. WomenBizSENSE couldn't have made it without you!

To see the photos of our lunch, go to our Photos page.



More information: What is SLE?
SLE or Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is a chronic, auto-immune disease of unknown cause where the patient's body makes large quantities of blood proteins called anti-bodies that react against the person’s own tissues. Presently, Lupus can only be controlled, not cured. Patients with milder symptoms like joint pain, rashes, fever and fatigue require different treatment compared with patients with more serious conditions. Symptoms of SLE may mimic the symptoms of other diseases. The main problem is that damage to the kidneys or bone marrow can go undetected until the later stages.

In the early stages of SLE, there may be only one or two visible symptoms causing the disease to be diagnosed after many weeks, months, or even years. What this means is, patients with lupus can suffer in silence for years and years without anyone knowing! 

Get more information about SLE at http://lupusmalaysia.org

OR

contact Nancy Ong who is the coordinator for the Northern region (012 235 5783)