Project Sleep celebrates Sleep Apnea Education Week (April 18-26, 2025) with the launch of a new sleep apnea awareness campaign.
PRESS RELEASE – LOS ANGELES, April 18, 2025 — Project Sleep, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness of sleep health, sleep equity, and sleep disorders, is thrilled to announce the official launch of “Sleep Apnea: Let’s Face It!” This ground-breaking campaign elevates a variety of stories of individuals living with sleep apnea to break down stigma and empower community members to take action.
Sleep apnea is a chronic health condition where people repeatedly stop breathing during sleep. Importantly, sleep apnea affects an estimated 20% of adults in the United States, about 54 million Americans, yet 80% are undiagnosed. The difficulty breathing during sleep could be caused by the airway closing (obstructive sleep apnea) or, less commonly, by the brain not sending the signal to breathe (central sleep apnea). Symptoms can be sneaky and vary by person, including nighttime symptoms (like gasping for air and frequent awakenings) and daytime symptoms (like morning headaches, daytime sleepiness, and irritability). Left untreated, sleep apnea keeps people from falling into the deep sleep that their bodies need, putting a strain on long-term health and safety.
“Our society has misperceptions about what sleep apnea looks like, with snoring seen as a laughable quirk instead of a potential sign of a serious medical condition,” said Emma Cooksey, Project Sleep’s Sleep Apnea Program Manager. “By highlighting a range of stories and experiences, we hope people are surprised to learn that sleep apnea is not a joke or a ‘one-size-fits-all’ condition, but something that could impact you or someone you love.”
To kick off the “Sleep Apnea: Let’s Face It!” campaign during Sleep Apnea Education Week (April 18 – 26, 2025), Project Sleep is showcasing a range of powerful stories of people living with sleep apnea, including:
People with sleep apnea, supporters, and community members are encouraged to join the online campaign by sharing photos holding the “Sleep Apnea: Let’s Face It!” sign on social media using the hashtag #SleepApneaLetsFaceIt.
On Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. ET, Project Sleep will host a featured event, “Fighting Sleep Apnea Shame & Stigma” hosted by Emma Cooksey, with special guests:
The panel will address the shame and stigma surrounding a sleep apnea journey— whether feeling judged as “lazy” or worrying about a partner’s reaction to CPAP therapy. Young people, in particular, can feel confused or embarrassed by a diagnosis, often associating sleep apnea with older adults. To watch the live broadcast and learn how we can fight stigma, tune in via Project Sleep’s YouTube on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. ET here.
“When I was first diagnosed with sleep apnea as a new mom at the age of 30, I felt totally alone. I wish there had been a campaign like this so I could have quickly connected to a wider community of people who understand,” added Emma Cooksey. “Together, we can face the reality of living with sleep apnea, reduce delays in diagnosis, and encourage more people to get the testing and treatment they deserve.”
Project Sleep’s programming is made possible by a variety of supporters including individual donors and corporate partners. Special thanks to Eli Lilly and Company, Resmed, and Apnimed for providing funding to support Project Sleep’s Sleep Apnea Education and Awareness program.
To get involved and learn more, visit: project-sleep.com/sleep-apnea-lets-face-it
About Sleep Apnea Education Week
Launched by the Alliance of Sleep Apnea Partners (ASAP) in 2024, Sleep Apnea Education Week (April 18 – 26, 2025) is an opportunity for the sleep apnea community to promote education, awareness, advocacy, and empowerment initiatives. Project Sleep is proud to join alongside ASAP to celebrate Sleep Apnea Education Week.
About Project Sleep
Project Sleep is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about sleep health, sleep equity, and sleep disorders. The organization’s programming includes the Rising Voices℠ leadership training, the Sleep Helpline™, the Sleep Apnea Squad education series, the Sleep Advocacy Program, the Jack & Julie Narcolepsy Scholarship, the Narcolepsy Nerd Alert series, and more. Follow Project Sleep on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, or visit their website at project-sleep.com. Media inquiries: [email protected]
SOURCE Project Sleep
