NHLBI to launch sleep and children education campaign

National Garfield contest winners to receive awards

WHAT: The Sleep Well. Do Well. Star Sleeper Campaign, featuring Garfield the Cat as "spokescat," will be launched at a special event at the Capital Children's Museum in Washington, DC. This five-year national initiative is designed to educate America's children – their parents, teachers, and health care providers – about the importance of adequate nighttime sleep – at least nine hours each night – for children's health and optimal performance.

Program includes a news conference; awards ceremony for three Garfield online sleep contest winners; and a sleep education activity with 80 elementary school children from the World Public Charter School, adapted from a new Garfield Star Sleeper Fun Pad; and airing of new Garfield Sleep TV PSA.

WHO: The campaign is co-sponsored by the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and PAWS, Inc., the creative studio behind Garfield. Press conference participants include:

Dr. Claude Lenfant, Director, NHLBI
Dr. Carl E. Hunt, Director, National Center on Sleep Disorders Research, NHLBI
Kim Campbell, PAWS, Inc.
Contest winners, ages 8-10, from Duluth, MN; Pittsburgh, PA; and Alliance, OH
Frederick Brown, Associate Executive Director for Professional Services, National Association of Elementary School Principals
Philip Duarte, First grade teacher and upper school arts instructor, World Public Charter School. Marco Polo Progam, Capital Children's Museum
Garfield

WHEN: Tuesday, February 27, 2001, 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: Capital Children's Museum, 800 3rd. Street NE, Washington, DC 20002

* Interviews with key campaign participants, including Jim Davis, can be arranged through the NHLBI Communications Office, (301) 496-4236.