413,005 potential apneics in Texas coastal counties

Awake In America replaces apnea equipment destroyed in hurricanes

Released on = September 22, 2005, 1:51 pm

Press Release Author = Dave Jackson / Awake In America, Inc.

Industry = Non Profit

Press Release Summary = PHILADELPHIA, PA (September 22, 2005) -- In the first 23 days following Hurricane Katrina's landfall, Awake In America has assisted more than 38 individuals replace lost or damaged equipment to treat their sleep apnea.

In the face of Hurricane Rita, declared by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as the third most intense hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic basin, Awake In America is expanding its relief program to victims of Hurricane Rita.

Press Release Body = 413,005 potential apneics in Texas coastal counties Awake In America replaces apnea equipment destroyed in hurricanes PHILADELPHIA, PA (September 22, 2005) -- In the first 23 days following Hurricane Katrina's landfall, Awake In America has assisted more than 38 individuals replace lost or damaged equipment to treat their sleep apnea.

In the face of Hurricane Rita, declared by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as the third most intense hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic basin, Awake In America is expanding its relief program to victims of Hurricane Rita.

Operation Restore CPAP was first launched by Awake In America on September 5, in response to the devastation to Hurricane Katrina. At that time, many people on the Gulf Coast believed Hurricane Katrina would be like past hurricanes, and that they'd be returning home in several hours. With that thinking, they left their belongings -- and CPAP equipment -- behind.

"Hurricane Katrina wrought unfathomable destruction on the Gulf Coast, and sadly, it seems Hurricane Rita may be bringing more devastation to the same area, as well as areas where evacuees were sent during relief and rescue efforts," said Michele Narcavage, president of Awake In America.

"As Awake In America did with Hurricane Katrina, we are doing the same now: spearheading operations for helping individuals with sleep apnea replace lost or destroyed equipment. Operation Restore CPAP will now be expanded to assist those individuals in all federally-declared disaster areas related to either Hurricane Katrina or Rita. We are doing a pre-emptive move regarding Hurricane Rita, but given the magnitude of the existing situation, Awake In America is being proactive in this situation. The people who lost their equipment in Hurricane Katrina, and those who may suffer losses or damage to their equipment because of Hurricane Rita, have already suffered immeasurably, and faced with the prospect of their apnea no longer being treated, potentially causing additional health issues for them, we have reacted proactively."

Operation Restore CPAP is a streamlined version of Awake In America's xPAP Donation and Relief Program, which was established one year ago and helped more than 100 individuals around the United States.

OVER ONE MILLION POTENTIAL APNEICS IMPACTED

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, an estimated 5,900,078 people live in the 23 Texas counties along the Gulf of Mexico. Sleep researchers estimate that around seven percent of the population suffers from obstructive sleep apnea. Based on that statistic, that means there are potentially 413,005 apneics in the Texas coastal communities alone. Using estimates, that means over 15,360,078 people have been impacted by the two hurricanes. The total number of potential apneics impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to about 1,000,995.

Victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita who suffer from sleep apnea who lost their equipment are are suffering sleep deprivation common to all the victims, but the situation for them is compounded when they sleep without their xPAP equipment: they may actually be causing severe health problems by not breathing! Untreated apnea may lead to heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, and irregular hearth rhythms (arrhythmias), depression, irritability, loss of memory,lack of energy, place the individual at higher risk of auto and workplace accidents due to fatigue or excessive daytime sleepiness, among other issues.

URGENT PLEA FOR FOR SUPPORT

Awake In America is in urgent need of need of the following types of donations to support Operation Restore CPAP:

* Cash donations -- an immediate need (to help cover the shipping costs for all the equipment, as well as printing and shipping of materials to get information about the program into the hands of individuals in need of immediate assistance)

* Equipment (CPAP, bi-level (BiPAP), or autoPAP machines, as well as tubing, masks, and humidifiers -- heated and passover)

* Grants from corporations, businesses, or government to support this program.

Awake In America is a 501(c)(3) (national non-profit) organization, based in Philadelphia. Donations to Awake In America are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law, and donation receipts will be sent to all donors. For specifics about your tax situation, please consult your tax advisor.

In making donations to this program, please be sure to write Operation Restore CPAP in the memo field on checks, or on boxes of equipment being sent. An online donation page has been established specifically for this project, and all donations from that page will be automatically earmarked for Operation Restore CPAP.

If you would prefer to send a check or money order through the U.S. Mail, make checks payable to Awake In America, Inc., and in the memo field, please write: Operation Restore CPAP. They should be sent to: Awake In America

Attn: Operation Restore CPAP

PO Box 51601

Philadelphia, PA 19115-6601

BEFORE MAKING ANY RELIEF-ORIENTED DONATIONS

Before making any donations to any organization seeking funds related to Hurricane Katrina, it is strongly suggested you check the organization's tax-exempt status at Guidestarorg or at www.irs.gov, the Internal Revenue Service's web site, using Publication 78.

Don't let any organization pressure you into making an immediate donation. The disaster is not going to be resolved overnight. The need for funds will still be present an hour or a day from now. Be safe and research the organization prior to making donations.

Awake In America may be contacted about Operation Restore CPAP via email at disaster(at)AwakeInAmerica.org, or via phone, at 215-722-2326.

Web Site = http://www.AwakeInAmerica.org/Katrina/

Contact Details = Awake In America, Inc.

PO Box 51601

Philadelphia, PA 19115-6601

Phone: 215-722-2326

Email: disaster(at)AwakeInAmerica.org