Suddenly Sleepy Saturday, a day dedicated to spreading awareness about narcolepsy, is being held on March 13, 2021. The Narcolepsy Network is looking for volunteers to send a proclamation request to their state’s governor seeking official recognition of Suddenly Sleepy Saturday. This is a golden opportunity to help spread awareness about narcolepsy, a rare disease that disrupts the sleep cycle.

About Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that affects sleep. Patients with narcolepsy have a decreased ability to regulate their cycles of sleeping and wakefulness. The exact cause of narcolepsy is not well known. There are a number of risk factors for the condition however, such as family history, exposure to pesticides, or prior brain injury, such as a stroke or tumor. The most well known symptom of narcolepsy is excessive sleepiness during the day, often to the extent that a patient may fall asleep suddenly during their regular activities. This can occur even after a full night of sleep; patients are unable to sleep as deeply as an unaffected person. Other symptoms include cataplexy, hallucinations, sleep paralysis, insomnia, and unexpected weight gain. There is no cure for narcolepsy. Treatments for the condition include stimulants such as amphetamines and modafinil. Most patients cannot control their symptoms entirely. To learn more about narcolepsy, click here.

Submitting a Proclamation Request

A proclamation request must be conducted through the office of the governor. Since the time it takes for the office to respond can vary greatly, it’s best to submit your request as soon as you can. If you send off your request, email the Narcolepsy Network ([email protected]) in order to the keep the patient community up to date.

If your request gets granted, don’t hesitate to share it by sending in a photo of the official proclamation. Click here to see submission guidelines for your state or city. Click here to see a sample proclamation request letter if you don’t know how to get started.