NFL Legends Continue to Spread Awareness on the Tackle Sleep Apnea Campaign with the Pro Player Health Alliance on January 10 and February 7

Pro Player Health Alliance spreading awareness of the deadly disorder, sleep apnea

NFL Legends and the Pro Player Health Alliance(PPHA) are continuing their stride through the nation on their national “Tackle Sleep Apnea” campaign. On January 10, 2013, the PPHA and former NFL Legends held their largest event yet bringing in almost 500 people to Scottsdale, AZ. Of those 500 guests, 30 Pro Players came out to get tested for sleep apnea.

“It was overly apparent how grateful and happy these NFL Legends were to get tested for sleep apnea and to get on board with treating the disorder,” said David Gergen, co-founder of PPHA. “The more people we can get in front of to spread awareness the better.”

These events are becoming quite the buzz in the sleep apnea community. These free public events are being held to raise awareness of sleep apnea and snoring, by discussing the dangers associated with the deadly disorder. At this last event with almost 500 attendees, former NFL superstars and speakers included Hall of Famer Lincoln Kennedy, All Pro, at one time the fastest man in the NFL, Roy Green, All Pro and legendary Seahawks Quarterback Dave Krieg, All Pro HB Ron Wolfley, All Pro and Super Bowl superstar Derek Kennard, and Mark Walczak of theArizona Cardinals.

“We want to graciously thank the NFLPA Former Players Phoenix Chapter for their on-going support for these events. The traction they have helped us make is more than we could have ever asked for,” said Gergen. “It’s a wonderful feeling to know that you are making a difference.”

Dr. Allan Bernstien and Dr. Rodger Briggs hosted this last event amongst others in the past for the Pro Player Health Alliance and were simply thrilled with the outcome of the event.

“I would like to personally recognize and give highest accolades to this group of football retirees for their unselfish provision of time to share their personal experiences and passion about this disorder with the general public. I would also like to acknowledgeGergen as the engine behind this movement. Without his effort this could not have happened,” said Bernstein.

Statistically, over 60% of the NFL and former NFL are suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Who better to speak and share personal stories to the public?

“The Tackle Sleep Apnea campaign has created quite a buzz with the retired NFL guys. I am looking forward to lending a hand to this campaign to boost the awareness of the dangers of sleep apnea.” says Dave Krieg former NFL superstar and legendary Seahawks Quarterback.

This event and the events that will follow are co-sponsored by Gergen’s Orthodontic Lab who will provide FREE oral appliances to qualified attendees. The goal of these events and national campaign is to generate as much awareness about sleep apnea and encourage attendees to get tested and diagnosed.

“I believe by spreading awareness we can save lives,” says Gergen “We have gone above and beyond for this event and have been able to reach out and get organizations such as the NFLPA Former Players Phoenix Chapter, American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), The Phoenix Elks Club, and the Greater Phoenix Swing Dance Club to be a part of it,” says Gergen.

The next event will be held in San Jose, CA on February 7, 2013 and hosted by Victor D. Woodlief, DMD.

Event Specifics:
Date: February 7, 2013.
Time: 7:00pm (open to public and press)
Location: Club Auto Sport, 521 Charcot Ave, San Jose, CA 95131
Special Attendees: Cedrick Hardman, Mike Haynes, Lincoln Kennedy, Derek Kennard, and Guy McIntyre.

For more information about PPHA or the “Tackle Sleep Apnea” campaign, visit http://proplayersleep.org.

To register for the next event on February 7, 2013, visit
http://www.eventbrite.com/event/4661298068?ref=ecount

About Dr. Victor D. Woodlief
Dr. Woodlief, a native Californian, returned to the Bay Area after graduating from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston. In private practice for 21 years, his clinical focus has been TMJ disorders, Pain Management of head, neck and facial structures (craniofacial disorders), Orthodontics (pediatric and adult), Snoring and Sleep Apnea. Since completing his formal education, more than 1800 hours of continuing education have been completed toward TMD therapy, pain management, and orthodontics and sleep disorders.

He believes that patients deserve nothing but the best, and in order to provide that for them, it is important to stay current on the newest, most advanced technology and treatment options. His “one size does not fit all” approach continues to provide his patients with customized and effective treatment plans. This comprehensive approach has earned Dr. Woodlief the respect from both colleagues and patients alike. The deliberate choice to operate with a team of colleagues (MD’s, ENT’s, Neurologists, Orthopedic Surgeons, Pediatricians, Cranio-sacral or SOT Chiropractors, and Oral Myologists) allows a full spectrum of services.

About Mike Haynes
As a spokesperson for the Know Your Stats About Prostate Cancer® Campaign, Michael Haynes is committed to sharing the message of early prostate cancer detection. Haynes discovered he had prostate cancer during a 2008 screening event conducted by the AUA and supported by the National Football League (NFL). Now a prostate cancer survivor, he speaks on behalf of the Foundation, encouraging men to talk with their doctors about getting tested for this deadly disease. In his third year with the campaign, Haynes remains focused on driving the importance of prostate cancer awareness and education to fans on the local level. Haynes’ professional football career began when he was the fifth player selected in the 1976 draft. A first-round draft choice of the New England Patriots, Haynes was voted the NFL defensive rookie of the year. He was selected by his peers to represent the AFC in nine Pro Bowls during his 14-year NFL career with the Patriots (1976-1982) and Los Angeles Raiders (1983-1989) and earned a Super Bowl ring as a member of the 1983 Raiders. Haynes is widely recognized as one of the NFL’s greatest defensive backs. He was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 1994, named to the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1995 and inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997. Earlier this year, Haynes and his former Raiders teammate, Lester Hayes, were named the best cornerback tandem in NFL history by the NFL Network program “NFL’s Top 10.”

About Pro Player Health Alliance
The Pro Players Health Alliance (PPHA) is an organization dedicated to helping former NFL players, through providing testing and treatment options for those who suffer from sleep apnea. In addition, the PPHA is dedicated to integrating education and raising sleep apnea awareness, in a fun and memorable way. In addition to the campaign, the PPHA is dedicated to testing and getting people treated who suffer from sleep apnea. The PPHA was created by David Gergen, President of Gergen’s Orthodontic Lab, Rani Ben-David, President of Sleep Group Solutions, and Former NFL legends.

About David Gergen
David Gergen, CDT and President of Pro Player Health Alliance, has been a nationally respected dental lab technician for over 25 years. He received the award for “The Finest Orthodontic Technician in the Country” given by Columbus Dental in 1986. He also has been appointed chair of the dental wing of the Sleep and Breathing Academy a national interdisciplinary academy dedicated to sleep training and education with over 60,000 members. David rolled out of bed on September 12, 1981 and had his career “ah ha” moment. He knew he was going to be an orthodontic technician and he knew he was going to help people all over the country to help treat their sleep disorders in partnership with their dentists. He has worked for some of the pioneers in the orthodontic and sleep dentistry fields. He was the personal technician for the likes of Dr. Robert Ricketts, Dr. Ronald Roth, Dr. A. Paul Serrano, Dr. Clark Jones, Dr. Harold Gelb, Dr. Joseph R. Cohen, Dr. Rodney Willey, Dr. Allan Bernstein, and Dr. Thien Pham. One of his proudest achievements is receiving The National Leadership award for Arizona Small Businessman of the Year in 2004.
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