Volunteer

Narcolepsy Network has a multitude of volunteer opportunities. No matter your availability, skills or interest, there is fulfilling work waiting for you!  See this page on how you can help!

Join a Board Committee

Narcolepsy Network’s Board of Directors welcomes member volunteers on all advisory committees. Some committees require specific skills and/or previous experience. If you are interested in serving on a Committee, contact the Committee Chair directly. Review the list of Committees and Chairpersons.

Host a Fundraiser

Work on your own or coordinate with others in your area to host a fundraiser for the benefit of Narcolepsy Network. Possibilities are limited only by your imagination and include such events as Comedy Club Shows, Car Washes, Bake Sales, Concerts, Talent Shows, Fast Food Nights, and much more. See this page for ideas.

Run for Team Narcolepsy

Have you ever wanted to run a marathon? Do you have narcolepsy or know someone who does? Have you always wanted to do something big to support the narcolepsy community? Well, we have an opportunity for you, in the biggest marathon in the world – the New York City Marathon! Learn more on this page.

Submit a Square to the Dream Quilt

Sleep activist and NN member Michelle Hemingway combined her creative and artistic talents with a desire to increase sleep awareness by developing a project called The Dream Quilt. Members of the sleep community, professionals and patients alike, designed and donated the squares that make up each quilt. Since that time, we have made three additional quilts. These quilts will be displayed at the SLEEP meeting, medical association conferences, and anywhere else that NN travels, including to member’s communities upon request. If you are interested in contributing to the quilt, email us.

Raise Awareness

Raising awareness usually begins in small but important ways. Mention your diagnosis in conversations with the people you encounter day to day. Each person you educate has the potential to spread the message to all the people they know.

While knowledge and awareness among medical professionals have increased in recent years, there’s still a long way to go. Surprisingly, many people don’t discuss sleep with their physicians, and most physicians don’t ask.

While Narcolepsy Network primarily serves people with narcolepsy, we encourage our members to approach the topic of sleep as broadly as possible in raising awareness. Many groups seek speakers for their meetings, from Rotary, Lions and Kiwanis clubs to AARP chapters, schools, and social groups. There are also regional meetings of professionals, from neurologists to family practitioners and school nurses that can benefit from increased knowledge of sleep disorders. Or, consider scheduling a talk on Sleep and Sleep Disorders at your local public library or writing an article for your local newspaper.

School Awareness

Narcolepsy onset typically occurs during the adolescent years. Excessive daytime sleepiness is usually the first symptom and will be most pronounced during periods of physical inactivity. Where else but school do you find adolescents and teens inactive for long periods during the day? This makes school the most important place to screen for narcolepsy in order to promote early recognition leading to diagnosis.

You can help raise awareness in schools by providing a copy of our brochure to school nurses, guidance counselors, and other key administrators in your district.