Dave Hargett serves as the Chairman of the Board of the American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA), entering his 4th year as Chair. The ASAA is the national non-profit organization that supports those with sleep apnea who need information about the disorder, advocates for them, and works to raise awareness about sleep apnea in the general public, in the workplace, and in the medical profession. The ASAA also fosters the A.W.A.K.E. Network of sleep apnea support groups around the country. See www.sleepapnea.org for more information about the ASAA.

Mr. Hargett is a sleep apnea patient turned sleep activist and sleep advocate. Diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea at age 45, he found almost immediate relief and effective therapy with a CPAP set at 13 cm of pressure. Today he is retired from a 30-year career with a major national retailer and spends much of his time on several volunteer activities. He lives in a southwest suburb of Chicago. 

When he was first diagnosed and attended his first A.W.A.K.E. group meeting, Mr. Hargett said he had no idea that he would become so involved with sleep apnea.  He leads two A.W.A.K.E. groups in the Chicago suburbs that meet monthly, speaks directly with patients on the phone and answers emails for the ASAA. He also speaks about sleep apnea to church groups, service organizations, corporate employees, other A.W.A.K.E. groups, and wherever else he can find someone to listen! At the 1996 "Great American Sleep Walk" in Washington, DC, he represented all sleep apnea patients when he spoke at the rally on Capitol Hill. 

"I was a miserable, sleepy, grumpy old man at age 45," says Dave, "but getting my sleep apnea diagnosed and treated has truly changed my life. I use my CPAP every night, all night long and claim to be a 'poster boy' for CPAP compliance. Last fall I had the great honor, on behalf of all sleep apnea patients, to say 'Thank You' to Dr. Colin Sullivan, the inventor of CPAP."