Michael O'Neill

Michael O'Neill's Fundraiser

I am running for the Danny Did Foundation image

I am running for the Danny Did Foundation

Please support my Marathon for Danny Did Foundation

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$2,025 towards $1,750

Thank you for considering a donation to support my 26.2 miles dedicated to those facing epilepsy.

Running for the Danny Did Foundation speaks to me on a personal level. I was diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy at the age of 2. Growing up I had many challenges in controlling my epilepsy with constant visits to the neurologist, medication changes, and just general challenges growing up as a kid with epilepsy and being deemed "different" from other kids. However, I found my passion for distance running when I was in 9th grade when I tried out for the track team. While in high school, I got my first VNS device to help better control my epilepsy. Through hard work, dedication, and better management of my epilepsy with my VNS device, I had the privilege to run Cross Country/Track at a DIII level at Marywood University. After graduation and as I continued to compete in races I decided to try and help support the cause for Epilepsy research and awareness. So far, I have competed in the Viva Marathon in 2017 and the Generosity Series 5k in 2019, both in support and to raise funds for The Epilepsy Foundation. I have many people to thank for my success in life and running as a man with epilepsy including but not limited to my parents, siblings, wife, and extended family. I would not of be where I am today without your constant support and encouragement. I would really appreciate any type of support while I prepare to run my 3rd marathon of my career, as none of it would be possible without Epilepsy research and development. Thank You all!

- Mike

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About Danny Did Foundation

Founded by Chicago parents Mike and Mariann Stanton in 2010 after the sudden death of their four-year-old son Danny, the Danny Did Foundation’s primary mission is to prevent deaths caused by seizures. The Foundation advances public awareness of epilepsy and Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), strives to improve communication about SUDEP between medical professionals and families affected by seizures, and advocates for the mainstream acceptance and use of seizure detection and prediction devices that may assist in preventing seizure-related deaths.

Epilepsy affects 3.4 million people in the United States and 65 million people worldwide. One in 26 Americans will develop epilepsy during their lifetime. But what few people understand, including many people with epilepsy, is that seizures can be fatal. More people die as a result of seizures than from fires and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) combined. In addition to deaths caused by drowning, other accidents, and status epilepticus (prolonged seizures),thousands of deaths occur annually from SUDEP, a fact that is little known and too rarely addressed by medical professionals and in public discussions of epilepsy.

The Danny Did Foundation takes it's name from the last line of Danny Stanton’s obituary, written by his dad: “Please go and enjoy your life. Danny did.” We celebrate Danny’s spirit in every child and family we reach.