Philadelphia (April 11, 2002) – 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, a regional account manager for Respironics, Inc., as well as an apneic, will be the guest speaker at the Wednesday, May 8, 2002 Awake In Philly Community Education Group meeting, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Conference Room at the Northeast Regional Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia, 2228 Cottman Ave.

During the meeting, Doug will explain how CPAP or BiPAP machines were 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.

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.

This will be Doug’s second time addressing the Awake In Philly Community Education Group. Doug last addressed the group in May 2001.

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.

Sleep disorders, which contribute to the national sleep debt, are more prevalent than most people believe. In fact, it’s estimated that approximately one in every five people suffers from at least one sleep disorder. Sleep apnea, narcolepsy, periodic leg movements, and insomnia are just a few of the many sleep disorders that can, and do, rob us of the sleep we need.

Sleep disorders, especially apnea, can impact a person’s life in many ways, including excessive daytime sleepiness, heart and lung damage, greater risk of stroke and high blood pressure, memory loss, the potential for greater involvement in traffic accidents because of tiredness, sexual dysfunction, mood swings, a decrease in productivity, weight gain, among others.

A Control 3 Home Care Kit, from Maril Products, will be given away at the meeting. Maril Products donated the Home Care Kit to Awake In Philly for giveaway at the meeting. See the rules for all details.

Awake In Philly meetings 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.