Awake In America Help Uninsured Americans Obtain Equipment to Treat Sleep Apnea

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) April 22, 2005 -- PHILADELPHIA - Awake In America�s xPAP Donation and Relief Program is helping individuals around the country treat their sleep apnea, and here's a short status report.

Awake In America has expanded the number of reviewers for all applications received from nine to 36 � which has given us teams we can use to sort geographically, ensuring there�s no bias, recognition, or other issues related to someone being familiar with the applicant. We�ve received many requests for assistance, and have awarded equipment to 98 percent of those requesting help. Awards are based on demonstrated need, including financial, insurance, and other weighted areas.

When applications are received, they are scanned into digital format, and the original paper version is shredded. Personally-identifiable information on the application is deleted from the file sent to the reviewers, which is also password protected.

What are the needs of the program now? We are receiving a lot of applications and requests, mostly for machines and humidifiers, but there is a fair share of requests for masks, as well. So the equipment needed is everything: CPAP, BiPAP, AutoPAP, masks (nasal, full-face, pillow systems), tubing, and humidification units (heated and passover).

One manufacturer, Hans Rudolph, Inc., of Kansas, generously donated a shipment of assorted masks to the program, and many individuals around the country have donated equipment over the past few months.

If you have unused equipment sitting around, feel free to send it to Awake In America so it may be sent to others who need it to treat their apnea � people who need it, but for a variety of reasons cannot obtain it on their own. All equipment may be shipped to:
Awake In America, Inc.
Attn: xPAP Donation Program
P.O. Box 51601

Philadelphia, PA 19115-6601

How do you benefit by making donations? When the equipment is received and inspected, a receipt identifying the equipment is sent to you for tax purposes. Under Internal Revenue Code, you can deduct from your taxes the fair market value of the donations. For specific information, you�d need to consult your tax adviser or call the IRS.

We also have the Sleep Study Relief Program, which offers in-home sleep studies to qualified individuals.

In response to the growing number of adults needing access to affordable testing for OSA, Sleep Solutions, Inc. will donate its clinically validated at-home testing services in support of Awake In America�s "xPAP Donation and Relief Program," designed to accelerate the diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea for qualified individuals who are without sufficient financial or insurance resources.

Additional information about both programs, as well as the applications for each program, is available at http://www.AwakeInAmerica.org/DonateRelief/

Awake In America is a non-profit organization focused on sleep and sleep-related issues. Its primary mission is helping others launch successful community education and support groups. Awake In America is also involved in educational outreach to health care providers; representatives at various levels of government; public and corporate outreach, education, and awareness programs; and legislative advocacy.