SLEEP WALK 2012: Walk for Awareness on National Mall Draws Participants From Across the U.S.

Non-profit hosts walk to celebrate National Sleep Awareness Week

WASHINGTON, March 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- National non-profit Wake Up Narcolepsy presents "SLEEP WALK 2012" on Saturday March 10th, 2012 at 9am to honor National Sleep Awareness Week. Participants will meet at the Sylvan Theater on the National Mall to raise awareness about narcolepsy and healthy sleep for all.

"We are excited to have 14 states represented and 100 participants registered at this point. It's also great to see others taking the Sleep Walk local in cities like Chicago. In a few years, we envision multiple walks across the nation during Sleep Week," says Wake Up Narcolepsy founder, Kevin Cosgrove.

Narcolepsy is a lifelong, autoimmune sleep disorder, affecting approximately 1 in every 2,000 people in North America, including about 200,000 Americans. Over 42 million Americans live with chronic sleep disorders. A startling 70% of American teenagers are not getting enough sleep and recent reports suggest that this insufficient sleep in teenagers is associated with health-risk behaviors such as drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, fighting, and serious consideration of suicide attempts.

"SLEEP WALK 2012" is a creative collaboration of Wake Up Narcolepsy and leading sleep advocate and DC-based Julie Flygare. Flygare's story of narcolepsy has been featured by national media sources including Marie Claire Magazine, the Boston Globe and NBC Universal News.

According to Flygare, "Many individuals with sleep disorders like narcolepsy feel alone and misunderstood. This walk brings people together in honor of our nation's struggle to get a good night's sleep."

About SLEEP WALK 2012
Local community members, people with sleep disorders and sleep health enthusiasts from across the U.S. are encouraged to join.  The event is free for all who register online in advance.

Media Star Awards will be given to news outlets for excellence in raising awareness about narcolepsy in 2011.  Awards will be presented to AVALON Magazine, I AM Modern Magazine, Marie Claire Magazine, MTV, and NBC Universal.

An inspiring warm up will be led by popular local Nia instructors, SuzWorks's Suzannah Weiss and sleep advocate Sue Dambrauskas before participants depart. The SLEEP WALK route goes from the Washington Monument to the Capitol Building and back – past prominent sites and museums.

SLEEP WALK 2012 offers a unique opportunity for the greater community to come together to celebrate National Sleep Awareness Week.  It will provide an informal atmosphere to allow for personal connections between those living with sleep disorders, sleep experts, and their supporters.

To view details and to complete the free event registration, visit www.WakeUpNarcolepsy.org.

About Wake Up Narcolepsy
Wake Up Narcolepsy is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the awareness and research of Narcolepsy.  The national organization hosts various awareness events including annual golf outings, Boston Marathon Running Teams and Wake Up Nashville concerts. WUN's efforts are supported, in part, by the generosity of Balfour Betty Communities, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Picerne Military Housing and St. Thomas Health.  For more information on Wake Up Narcolepsy, visit www.WakeUpNarcolepsy.org.

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Wake Up Narcolepsy