Persatuan SLE Malaysia (PSLEM) or the Malaysian SLE Association was set up in 1994 by concerned doctors and patients to help people suffering from Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Starting with a core group of 10 committee members, PSLEM’s members today total more than 3,000.
From squatting in a doctor’s office in Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, PSLEM today operates from its own Secretariat in Jalan Utara, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. A Sandakan Chapter was launched in October 2004 and a Penang Chapter in March 2008. The Penang Chapter has an Information and Counselling Centre near to Hospital Pulau Pinang.
Two more chapters were started during 2009/2010: the Kuching Chapter had its first meeting on 26 September 2009 and its first annual general meeting on 13 December 2009, while the Johor Chapter had its first meeting on 21 March 2010.
PSLEM’s work is mainly funded by corporate donors and individual well-wishers. The Malaysian government recognises the association as a charity and cash donations to PSLEM are tax deductible.