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Richelle Topping

@richelletopping

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RI based local 600 camera assistant, sleep health advocate, person with narcolepsy

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Narcolepsy On NBC10: 🎥 Richelle Topping Featured in Health Segment on Breakthrough Treatment

Project Sleep is proud to spotlight #RisingVoices speaker and Board Member Richelle Topping @richelletopping in Rhode Island, who was recently featured in an NBC10 Health Check segment covering the FDA approval of oveporexton!

Thank you to Richelle for sharing your powerful story and raising vital awareness! 🌟 And another thank you to Dr. Matthew Davis for offering clear, engaging scientific insight.

We’re also deeply grateful to NBC10 for its thoughtful narcolepsy coverage and for encouraging viewers to seek support and resources through Project Sleep!

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Why am I wearing a #worldnarcolepsyday2026 tshirt?

Well I want to support my colleagues at @project_sleep who work incredibly hard on this campaign every year… but it’s more than that.

Ever since I started speaking about my own journey with #sleepapnea back in 2020, I have been blown away by the support and encouragement of the narcolepsy community. I now have a lot of close friends with narcolepsy and I know that we have to all come together to raise awareness about this often misunderstood neurological condition.

Go over to @project_sleep to order a shirt (or mug!) now and you’ll be all set to help raise awareness for World Narcolepsy Day on September 22nd!

@remrunner
@cecenarcolepsy
@mhorsnell
@lindsay.scola
@dma_dreams

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We've been written up in MovieMaker Magazine, @moviemakermag and we're so grateful to @timamolloy for the opportunity.

This article means so much to us. The questions were great, and the piece really captures something we've been hoping people would see in Late Fall, the honest, unglamorous, sometimes messy work of becoming a parent, and what it takes to actually see your partner through it all.

My co-director @aleciaorsini & I were new parents when filming, so it is extra special.

Our hope is that this piece invites people to watch the film, especially those looking to understand or resonate with a story on early parenthood.

An @abigailjeanlucas film.

Full article linked in bio.

Latefallfilm.com

#latefallfilm #shortfilm #earlyparenthood #motherhood #newparents

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➡️Swipe to see patient advocacy in action!

🌟 From June 14-17, 2026, Project Sleep team members and advocates gathered in Baltimore, MD for #SLEEP2026 — the premier meeting in sleep medicine and research, hosted by @aasmorg and @researchsleep.

🎤 We presented in sessions, participated in panels, and emphasized the importance of including patient perspectives in every conversation about #sleephealth and #sleepdisorders.

📸 Swipe to see some of our favorite moments at SLEEP, then head to the 🔗 in our bio for the full recap!

🌌 A huge thank you to all of the amazing community members and patient advocates that traveled far and wide to support Project Sleep and its mission. Thank you AASM and Sleep Research Society for encouraging clinicians and researchers to include patient voices and patient advocacy organizations in your major sleep meeting!

#SleepResearch #SleepAdvocacy

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💙 #Sleep2026 was dreamy!

Honored to present in two conference sessions: 1. Patient-reported outcomes in #narcolepsy and 2. #Sleep in the media (the patient advocacy perspective).

🤗 One of the greatest parts of this year’s conference was cheering on other patient advocates in sessions. The inclusion of patient advocacy voices in the main sessions was AWESOME! Thank you @aasmorg & @researchsleep

☀️This year, narcolepsy was the “golden child” of the conference, IMO. The drug developers and industry partners are very active and engaged, it’s a bit overwhelming really, but the excitement of the upcoming orexin agonists making it through clinical trials was palpable.

👋 I enjoyed meeting new sleep friends IRL and soaking in the hugs and laughs with old friends I’ve known for many years.

💕Heading home exhausted yet glowing, bc @project_sleep’s dream continues to grow and strengthen, I’m forever grateful to walk this journey with you all!

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🕵️ So, who can you expect to find at the biggest sleep and circadian science event of the year?

➡️ Swipe to meet the cast!

We just wrapped up #SLEEP2026 (hosted by @aasmorg and @researchsleep), and we’re endlessly grateful for this incredible community — clinicians, researchers, advocates, students, storytellers, and everyone in between — all coming together to advance sleep and support one another.

💞 Everyone has a place in the sleep community, and we’re honored to share space, spark conversations, and keep building a world where sleep is recognized, respected, and supported.

Stay tuned for a full recap and more to come soon!

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🎉 #SLEEP2026, we're HERE!

😎 Project Sleep has officially landed in Baltimore and we’re bringing all the good vibes (and even better goodies). Come find us in the Exhibitors’ Hall at booth # 1027-H!

🌟 Stop by to say hi, meet our team, and learn more about how we’re raising awareness for sleep health, sleep equity, and sleep disorders.

💙 Huge thanks to @aasmorg & @researchsleep for supporting patient advocacy organizations and patient advocates inclusion at this important meeting!

📸 While you’re here, snap a pic with our fun photo signs and tell us — how’s your sleep these days?

💙 We can’t wait to meet you!

#ProjectSleep #SleepAdvocacy #SleepEducation

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🌟 Please join us in welcoming Richelle Topping (@richelletopping) to Project Sleep’s Board of Directors!

🎥 Richelle is a union camera assistant working on films, television, and commercials around New England. In 2020, after 18 years of symptoms, Richelle was diagnosed with type 1 #narcolepsy with #cataplexy.

🏫 Richelle got involved with Project Sleep in 2021 during the Sleep In campaign and has since become a #RisingVoices trained speaker, sharing her story and raising awareness with future doctors and psychiatrists at places like Brown University, Providence College, and Alkermes.

💬 “I’ve experienced firsthand how impactful Project Sleep’s work is, and it is an absolute honor to join this incredible team,” Richelle said. “I’m excited to help expand the organization’s impact and make sleep cool!”

💙 We’re so grateful to have Richelle's passion for sleep health and dedication to creating positive change on our board! Learn more about Richelle and the rest of our incredible board at the 🔗 in our bio.

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Living with #Narcolepsy is extremely difficult, and times get harder before they can improve. Do not be ashamed of your diagnosis— You’re the hero, the main character in your lead role of a lifetime —yours. It’s only up to you as to what role you will play. Are you going to play the role of the hero or of the villain? Are you going to play the role of the thief or of the giver or are you going to play the role us to a good balance of everything in good and moral integrity.

In every choice you make as advanced ability of society to improve the human race and the planet we live on. What’s the one mission and purpose the most passionate belief and conviction that drives your life every day to do the things you do to make life the very best for as much and as many as you can?

#worldnarcolepsyday #narcolepsyawareness
#narcolepsie #narcolepsia #patientambassador
#cataplexyawareness
#narcolepsynotalone #narcolepsycheck
#risingvoicesofnarcolepsy #worldnarcolepsyday2025
#narcolepsywarrior

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We love creating floral trellises that bring height and texture. Adding additional elegance to any space! @piperbrownphoto

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Part II of my conference adventures: #advocacy
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I was ambitious with my commitments for this year’s season of #BeyondSleepy and #SLEEP2005.
For the 2nd year in a row, I authored a session panel at SLEEP and joined a legal issues panel.
For the 2nd year in a row I presented on relationships with my partner and best friend at Beyond Sleepy.
For the 4th year in a row I presented a poster using social listening data from Trend.
And then there was a few firsts…
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This year I was honored by @hypersomniafoundation with their Patient Advocate Award for my work amplifying IH! To say that was surreal is an understatement. The leadership at HF is stacked from the executive level to the board level. To stand on stage with Claire was a memory I will forever cherish. To look into the audience and be cheered on by my friends across advocacy, including @project_sleep, @wakeupnarcolepsy, and @pwn4pwn magnified the feelings. My mentor in advocacy @remrunner cheering me on meant so much. For those who remember, Julie and PS honored me in 2023.
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Last year I authored a panel discussion on brain fog. This year the topic was “And Now What? Holistic Treatment of Narcolepsy and Idiopathic Hypersomnia at Time of Diagnosis.” It featured Lindsay McCullough, MD; Lindsay Jesteadt, PhD; and was facilitated by Jen Mundt, PhD. It is such an honor to be accepted at conference events. Credit to @aasmorg and @researchsleep for their inclusion of patient advocates.
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This year I also facilitated a panel discussion at an Industry Sponsored Event (ISE) with @lmt826 and @sleepycatsleepycat. ISEs take place every year, but for the first time that I’m aware, the event panel was advocate-only. Credit to Avadel for their forward-thinking session.
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This probably deserves its own post, but meeting @annaliiseh and @sleepandsports for dinner was a true gift during an overwhelming week.
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Much love to @thatssoheather, @makayla_horsnell, @rachelh.1, and Caden for being my reason for being. My voice is possible because of their strength
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#sleep #narcolepsy #idiopathichypersomnia #sleepapnea

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💙 Patient advocacy in action!

🌟 From June 8–11, Project Sleep team members and advocates gathered in Seattle for #SLEEP2025 — the premier meeting in sleep medicine and research!

🎤 We participated in panels, presented new data, and emphasized the importance of including patient perspectives in every conversation about #sleephealth and #sleepdisorders.

📸 Swipe to see some of our favorite moments at SLEEP, then head to the 🔗 in our bio for the full recap!

🌌 SLEEP is the premier conference dedicated to clinical sleep medicine, sleep and circadian research, and sleep health, co-organized by @aasmorg & @researchsleep.

#SleepAdvocacy #SleepResearch #SleepMedicine #PatientVoices #LivedExperience #SleepEquity #SleepAwareness #ProjectSleep

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