Wake Up Narcolepsy and Jazz Pharmaceuticals Announce Swinging for Sleep to Raise Funds for Narcolepsy Awareness

WASHINGTON and DUBLIN, March 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Wake Up Narcolepsy and Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: JAZZ) have teamed up with professional golfer, Nicole Jeray to launch the 2012 Swinging for Sleep online fundraising campaign. The campaign raises funds to support narcolepsy awareness, research and patient support programs through nonprofit organizations dedicated to the narcolepsy community.  

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"Narcolepsy is a neurological sleep disorder that often takes years to properly diagnose. Having battled this challenging condition for years, I understand first-hand the impact of the disease and how important it is to help others navigate living with it," said Nicole Jeray. "Swinging for Sleep is a great way for the narcolepsy community to come together to support the needs of patients and bring attention to this underdiagnosed condition."

Through Swinging for Sleep, Jazz Pharmaceuticals will donate $250 or $1000 for each "birdie" or "eagle" (low-swing scores on a single golf hole) respectively that Nicole Jeray scores during the 2012 LPGA Symetra Tour. Individuals are also encouraged to participate in the program by making a donation of their choice on Nicole's web site at http://www.nicolejeray.com/. WUN will use proceeds raised by Swinging for Sleep to support awareness and research initiatives, including activities of another leading narcolepsy organization the Narcolepsy Network. Narcolepsy Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing services to educate, advocate, support and improve awareness of narcolepsy. 

"Swinging for Sleep will support ongoing research and awareness activities to build a strong support system for patients, which is crucial to helping patients manage the disease," said Kevin Cosgrove, President, Wake Up Narcolepsy. "We commend Nicole Jeray for her dedication to the narcolepsy community and we are thrilled to be a part of the campaign and partnering with Jazz Pharmaceuticals."

Narcolepsy is a serious and debilitating sleep disorder that affects an estimated 125,000 to 200,000 Americans. Some people have narcolepsy for several years before being properly diagnosed. When left untreated, the symptoms can have a devastating effect on all aspects of one's life, emotionally, physically, socially and academically.

About Swinging for Sleep

Individuals are encouraged to support Swinging for Sleep in one of two ways – make a one-time donation, or pledge an amount for each birdie Jeray makes during the LPGA Symetra Tour in 2012. Nicole's success will be tracked on the Swinging for Sleep website: www.NicoleJeray.com/SwingingForSleep, and supporters should check here to follow her progress.

To learn more, visit http://www.wakeupnarcolepsy.org/ or http://www.nicolejeray.com/.

About Jazz Pharmaceuticals

Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc is a specialty biopharmaceutical company focused on improving patients' lives by identifying, developing and commercializing products that address unmet medical needs. The company has a diverse portfolio of products in the areas of narcolepsy, severe chronic pain, psychiatry and women's health. The company's marketed products in these areas include: Xyrem® (sodium oxybate), Prialt® (ziconotide intrathecal infusion), FazaClo® (clozapine USP) HD and LD, Luvox CR® (fluvoxamine maleate) and Elestrin® (estradiol gel 0.06%).

About Wake Up Narcolepsy

Wake Up Narcolepsy is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the awareness and research of Narcolepsy. The national organization hosts various awareness events including annual golf outings, Boston Marathon Running Teams and Wake Up Nashville concerts. WUN's efforts are supported, in part, by the generosity of Balfour Beatty Communities, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Picerne Military Housing and St. Thomas Health. For more information on Wake Up Narcolepsy, visit http://www.wakeupnarcolepsy.org/.

About Narcolepsy Network

Narcolepsy Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to individuals with narcolepsy and related sleep disorders. Its mission is to provide services to educate, advocate, support and improve awareness of this neurological sleep disorder. To learn more about the Narcolepsy Network, please visit narcolepsynetwork.org. 

SOURCE Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc; Wake Up Narcolepsy

Monica Gow of Wake Up Narcolepsy, +1-978-751-3693, mgow@wakeupnarcolepsy.org, or Ami Knoefler of Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc, +1-650-496-2947, Ami.Knoefler@jazzpharma.com