Better Sleep Foundation

The Better Sleep Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in January 2004 by Randy Larson and Cox Tan-Ngo, both of whom have sleep apnea, and several other interested individuals.

The mission of the society is:

to educate the general public about sleep disorders, especially sleep apnea;
to provide support for people who are experiencing sleep problems;
to accept donations of new and used medical equipment, books, and other materials;
to provide donated medical equipment, books and other materials to people who do not have the financial wherewithal to acquire these items themselves. These items will be provided at no cost to the individual(s).
to carry our these purposes without purpose of gain for the society’s members, and any profits or other accretions to the society shall be used solely to promote its objectives.

Sleep medicine is relatively new, having been practiced actively only since 1974. Physicians receive very little training in this complex medical area, despite the large amount of medical studies that have been conducted, and the many improvements in diagnosis and treatment. There are currently over 200 official sleep disorders. Several studies have found that 95% of patients are never properly diagnosed in relation to their sleep disorder.

The primary role of the Better Sleep Foundation is to educate the general public about sleep disorders, especially obstructive sleep apnea. This is being achieved through community outreach programs including seminars in community centres, senior’s centres, and health fairs. The Foundation will also provide brochures summarizing the key symptoms and issues surrounding sleep apnea, as well as related medical articles.

The other key role of the Better Sleep Foundation is to accept donated medical equipment, books and other materials, and provide these items free of charge to individuals who have been diagnosed with a sleep disorder, but who do not have the financial wherewithal to pay for the therapy. The Foundation intends to work with homecare companies who provide sleep therapy in the Greater Vancouver area to raise awareness about the possibility of existing patients donating their used and/or new equipment to the Foundation. The Foundation will raise awareness through the community programs described above, as well as through free articles and/or advertisements in newspapers and magazines. At the same time the Foundation will solicit the names of individuals who need therapy, but who cannot afford to pay for same.

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