Philadelphia (April 16, 2001) - A close-up look of the those powerful little blowers that most people with apnea use each night will be the focus of the next Awake In Philly meeting.

Doug VasDias, an account manager for Respironics, Inc., as well as an apneic, will be the guest speaker at the Wednesday, May 9, 2001 Awake In Philly Sleep Disorders Education and Support Group meeting. A.W.A.K.E. is an acronym for Alert, Well, And Keeping Energetic.

Doug will address the Awake In Philly Support Group on the topic of "CPAP: History, Present, and Future." During the meeting, Doug will explain how the CPAP machine was originally crafted and later developed into the machines we are familiar with today. He will also be giving an inside-the-industry look at where technology is heading and what changes can be expected in CPAP or BiPAP machines over the next few years.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m., and refreshments are available beginning at 6:30 p.m. for those attending the meeting. The meeting will be held in the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania's Surgical Conference Room, located in the White Building. Entering through the main entrance, turn right immediately once inside the lobby and proceed down the hallway. For detailed directions, someone at the Information Desk, located in the main lobby, can assist. Driving directions to the hospital are located on the Awake In Philly site at http://www.AwakeInPhilly.org/Meetings/directions.htm.

Sleep disorders are more prevalent than most people believe. Researchers in sleep medicine believe one in every five people suffers from at least one sleep disorder. Those disorders include:

• Sleep apnea

• Narcolepsy

• Periodic leg movements

• Insomnia

Doug has been an account manager with Respironics for six years, and has been a respiratory therapist for more than 26 years. During the course of his continuing education, Doug has took a keen interested in sleep medicine.

It's interesting to note that Doug was a CPAP manufacturer's representative when he was diagnosed with apnea. Doug will share his interesting story at the meeting, as well.

Based in Pittsburgh, Respironics is considered one of the leaders in the respiratory market. The company is focused on home care, hospital and international markets, providing programs that manage sleep disordered breathing, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and infant care. Globally, the company employs approximately 1,800 individuals, and has manufacturing facilities in several domestic and international locations.

The book, Desperately Seeking Snoozin' (The Insomnia Cure from Awake to Zzzz), by John Wiedman, which was donated by TalkAboutSleep.com, will be given away at the meeting. See the rules for all details. Elliott's Amazing Drinks and Juices sponsors the beverages.

A.W.A.K.E. in Philly sponsors, in alphabetical order, include Alpine Medical of Bensalem, PA.; B.F. Ascher & Co., Inc.; Elliott's Amazing Drinks and Juices; Fisher and Paykel Healthcare, Inc.; Hans Rudolph, Inc.; Maril Products, makers of Control III Disinfectant; Penn Center for Sleep Disorders; Respironics, Inc.; SleepNet Corp.; and TalkAboutSleep.com.

The University of Pennsylvania is conveniently located on several SEPTA bus and trolley routes, as well as being conveniently located near SEPTA train stations, as well. For public transportation to Penn, please contact SEPTA at 215-580-7800 or visit the SEPTA website at http://www.septa.org.

A.W.A.K.E. in Philly is one of more than 200 local support groups in the national A.W.A.K.E. network, which is a part of the American Sleep Apnea Association, based in Washington, D.C.

A.W.A.K.E. groups are designed to offer support to anyone who must deal with the impact of sleep apnea, including the patient, the spouse, a co-worker or supervisor, researchers, physicians, attorneys, among others. Everyone is encouraged to attend the meetings.