Dear Friends, HUGE NEWS! On Tuesday, Oct. 14th, 2023, Project Sleep partnered with the White House Office of Public Engagement to host a Sleep Equity Convening, a first-of-its-kind meeting on sleep with the White House. |
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The conversation brought together leaders from 12 sleep-related organizations, professional societies and patient advocacy organizations, including: |
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Key White House officials and sleep community leaders gathered in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building to discuss access to sleep equity as a social justice issue. The conversation shed light on current social, economic, and environmental inequalities and highlighted ways to advance sleep equity -- where everyone has an equal opportunity, based on their need, to obtain an amount and quality of sleep that promotes physical and mental well-being. Learn more about sleep equity. The program featured a multidisciplinary panel of speakers including sleep equity researchers, Michael A. Grandner, PhD MTR, Director, Sleep and Health Research Program, University of Arizona, and Dr. Robert W. Turner II, Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Research and Leadership, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Science, opening remarks from Julie Flygare, JD, President & CEO of Project Sleep, and powerful first-hand stories from sleep advocates, Lauren Thomas and Matthew Horsnell. Powerful Quotes: |
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"After wading through the labyrinth of sleepiness and the isolation it brought, I am grateful today to stand with a diagnosis and to have discovered a sense of community amid the chaos that defined those years." "Even armed with a diagnosis, a supportive specialist, and a community, I continue to face barriers due to my race, gender, and condition." - Lauren Thomas |
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Thank you to the White House Office of Public Engagement for leading this important discussion, along with our speakers and participating sleep organizations. The unity of this community gives us great hope that we can continue to achieve more together! Special thanks to Lindsay Scola for making this dream a reality! Learn about Lindsay's connection to the cause in SELF Magazine. |
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Sleep Advocacy Forum 2024 On Monday Nov. 13, Project Sleep welcomed leaders of various patient advocacy organizations and professional societies to Washington, DC for the 4th annual Sleep Advocacy Forum. Kristyn Beecher, News Producer, Rising Voices speaker and PS board member, delivered a powerful keynote patient perspective presentation. Stay tuned, full update coming soon! |
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We hope you feel a sense of pride knowing that the voice of the sleep community was elevated to new heights this week! Project Sleep was honored to start this important discussion between the sleep community and the White House and look forward to continuing the conversation. Gratefully, |
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Julie Flygare, J.D.
President & CEO, Project Sleep |
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