PHILADELPHIA--Victims of Hurricane Ike who lost or left their CPAPs behind may be able to get their equipment replaced thanks to a disaster relief program operated by Awake In America.
The non-profit group, which focuses on sleep and sleep disorder issues, said its Operation Restore CPAP provides direct assistance to individuals who left their homes under emergency conditions, whether under a mandatory evacuation order or those who, thinking they would be home shortly after the hurricane passed, left their belongings behind.
Operation Restore CPAP is the only disaster relief program of its kind in the nation, assisting individuals who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and had been using a CPAP or bi-level device at the time of the disaster, according to a statement from the group.
"We're hoping those hurricane victims with apnea will find the many battles for replacing homes, furniture, vehicles and many other essentials of life a little easier because of our program," said Michele Narcavage, president of Awake In America. "By quickly replacing the CPAP or bi-level devices used by people with sleep apnea to treat this potentially life-threatening disorder, we're hoping to help these people--victims of a major disaster--get the proper sleep they need without risking their health or life."
Supported by individual and corporate donations, Awake In America initially launched Operation Restore CPAP in 2005 as a response to Hurricane Katrina.