Meetings resume with show-and-tell time

It’s All About the Masks!

Philadelphia (September 1, 2003) — Awake In Philly's 2003-2004 meeting schedule will get right into high-gear with a kickstart by various manufacturers showing off the various masks and interfaces they have to offer.

The sleep disorder community education group will resume meetings on Wednesday, September 10, 2003, with representatives from several leading manufacturers stopping in for a show-and-tell on various masks. The meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m., will be held in the Conference Room at the Northeast Regional Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia, 2228 Cottman Avenue.

During the meeting, each of the representatives will make a short presentation on the various masks and interfaces they have, and will be available at the end of the presentations for a question-and-answer session. The representatives will also have printed materials available on the various masks.

Organized sponsors of Awake In Philly, in alphabetical order, include B.F. Ascher & Co., Inc.; Maril Products, makers of Control III Disinfectant; and Respironics, Inc.

A Control III 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.

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.

The impact of sleep disorders, especially apnea, on a person's life may be many, and appear in many forms, but there are some telltale signs. While the impact is unique in each person, some of the most common areas include causing 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.

The Northeast Regional Library is conveniently located on several SEPTA bus routes, as well as being conveniently located near a SEPTA train station. For public transportation to the Northeast Regional Library, please call SEPTA at 215-580-7800 or visit the SEPTA website at http://www.septa.org.

The Northeast Regional Library is about one-half mile northwest of Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard, and may be contacted at 215-685-0500. Driving directions to the library may be accessed on the Awake In Philly site at http://www.AwakeInPhilly.org/Meetings/NERL.shtml.

Awake In Philly meetings are designed to offer support to anyone who must deal with the impact of sleep disorders, including the patient, the spouse, a co-worker or supervisor, researchers, physicians, attorneys, among others. Everyone is encouraged to attend the meetings.

Notes: Please bring a pen or pencil and paper for taking notes.

Contact Dave Jackson at:
PhillyAwake@scoop0901.net