Co-founder

Kerly Bwoga

Kerly Joy Bwoga is a passionate advocate, entrepreneur, and podcaster dedicated to improving the lives of people with narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia. Born in Jamaica, she moved to London, UK, at the age of 7. She has always been deeply committed to helping others, a trait influenced by her parents, both of whom were teachers. From an early age, she volunteered as a teen counselor at Teen Camp, worked with children with special needs, and developed a love for animals, photography, the outdoors, and making meaningful connections.
 

Kerly studied Music Production and Development at university, but her journey took a significant turn when she was diagnosed with Narcolepsy Type 1 at age 15. Over the years, she has undergone multiple sleep studies and has also been diagnosed with sleep apnea, REM behavior disorder, and periodic limb movement disorder. Living with narcolepsy longer than she has lived without it, she understands firsthand the challenges of navigating daily life with a sleep disorder.
 

Her advocacy began with Narcolepsy UK, where she volunteered and raised awareness by designing and selling t-shirts and badges. This passion for advocacy grew into something bigger—NapsForLife CIC, a nonprofit organization she founded to empower individuals with sleep disorders through tools, resources, and community support. The organization runs weekly Zoom support meetings, offers one-on-one support, and actively raises public awareness.
 

Kerly is also the creator and host of the Narcolepsy Navigators Podcast, where she has interviewed people from around the world, including doctors, advocates, athletes, and parents affected by narcolepsy. Her work has connected her with leading researchers and advocates in the sleep disorder community. She is currently exploring partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, collaborating on awareness campaigns, and advocating for better employment policies and healthcare understanding for people with narcolepsy.

Her work continues to grow, and she is actively seeking sponsorships, collaborations, and media opportunities to bring narcolepsy awareness to a broader audience.

Co-founder

Iris Vasconcelos

Born in Portugal with Angolan roots and shaped by British culture, Iris Vasconcelos is a passionate advocate, writer, and community leader determined to make a difference in the world of sleep disorders. Diagnosed with narcolepsy type 1 at 28—after unknowingly battling symptoms since 15—she defines her journey as "before and after diagnosis." The shift was life-changing, but instead of letting it defeat her, she turned it into her greatest mission.

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In 2020, Iris took a bold step—sharing her story publicly through her blog. Since then, she has become a fierce advocate for narcolepsy and Idiopathic Hypersomnia, using her voice to empower others who feel unheard. She is the Brand Director of Narcolepsy Navigators, co-founder of Naps4Life CIC, and a patient leader committed to reshaping how the world sees hypersomnia disorders.

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With a background in social media marketing, a love for storytelling, and an undeniable drive for change, Iris continues to break barriers in advocacy. When she's not raising awareness, you’ll find her lost in deep research, crafting poetry, or contemplating a million creative projects she swears she'll finish one day.

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Her mission? To inspire, educate, and prove that life doesn’t end with a diagnosis—it simply takes a different path.