Dr. Colin Sullivan, Inventor of CPAP, Makes Surprise Visit and Lecture at ASAA Fund Raising Event

July 12, 2011

In June, the American Sleep Apnea Association launched a national program to provide free CPAP machines to obstructive sleep apnea patients across the United States who lack health insurance and are in need.

The launch of CAP, or CPAP Assistance Program, took place at a fund-raising event in Minneapolis, MN, sponsored jointly by the ASAA and Park Nicollet Health Services. The event featured keynote speakers Sherry and Ashley Johnston, mother and daughter CPAP users who appeared on NBC’s The Biggest Loser, and a surprise visit from Dr. Colin Sullivan, the Australian inventor of the original CPAP machine.

Recalling his development of the device 30 years ago this year, Sullivan told the audience that OSA patients telling him their symptoms and stories was central to his figuring out a therapeutic system that would help them.

Ed Grandi, executive director of the ASAA, reported that the existence of CAP enabled the ASAA to send 30 free devices to Joplin, MO, to help families devastated by the recent tornado disaster there.

The ASAA is very grateful for the donations of cash and equipment at the fund-raiser that came from many individuals and from Park Nicollet Health Services, ResMed, Inc., Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Philips Respironics, Ventus Medical, OPAP Premier/AirusLife, and Talk About Sleep, Inc.

If you have new or used CPAP equipment in good condition that you are interested in donating, ship to:

The American Sleep Apnea Association
CAP Donation
163 3rd Street
Tracy, MN 56175

For information about donating equipment, or if you are in need of free CPAP equipment, contact Mark@DonatedCPAP.org
For more information about the ASAA CAP contact Executive Director, EGrandi@sleepapnea.org