The National Center on Sleep Disorders Research (NCSDR) at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health is calling on children nationwide to get an extra hour of sleep this Sunday – when the clocks turn back at the end of Daylight Savings Time (DST) – and to establish a good night's sleep as a lifelong habit. The message is part of NHLBI's Sleep Well. Do Well. Star Sleeper Campaign, a five-year initiative to educate young children (ages 7 to 11) – and their parents, teachers, and pediatricians – about the importance of getting at least nine hours of sleep each night for good health and to do their best in whatever they do.

In support of the national campaign, the Duluth Independent School District in Duluth, Minn. will implement a series of sleep education activities – derived from the Star Sleeper program – in third-grade classrooms during the week leading up to the end of DST.

Sleep problems affect about 70 million Americans and a growing body of scientific evidence shows that inadequate sleep can contribute to irritability, easy frustration, difficulties with focused attention, problems modulating impulses and emotions, and a greater risk of injury. Many American children are seriously sleep deprived.

A video soundbites and B-roll package will be available via satellite and beta tape (upon request), featuring:

• Dr. Carl E. Hunt, director of the NCSDR, who will discuss the importance of adequate sleep for children and the campaign's key objectives;
• Sandra McGinnis, member of the NCSDR Sleep Disorders Research Advisory Board, who will address the significant role schools can play in promoting healthy sleep habits among children;
• Garfield the Cat, as the campaign's official "Star Sleeper" and "spokescat";
• Interviews with educators and school children; and
• Footage of sleep education classroom exercises and bedtime rituals among children and their parents.

Friday, Oct. 26 at 1-1:15 p.m., ET
Saturday, Oct. 27 at 3:30-3:45 p.m., ET
Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 1:15-1:30 p.m., ET

Satellite Coordinates:
C-Band
Telstar 5, Transponder 16
DL 4020