I am running to Protect Kids with Epilepsy

Thank you for considering a donation to support my 26.2 mile Chicago Marathon run dedicated to those facing epilepsy.

On August 26, 2023, our daughter Maggie had a seizure that lasted for over 3 minutes, but it was three minutes that lasted forever. We didn’t know it yet, but this was the beginning of our journey with epilepsy. In September, after visits to the ER, Family Pediatrician and several trips to Lurie Children’s Hospital, Maggie was officially diagnosed.

When Maggie had her event, I was terrified that we were losing her. I have never been that scared in all my life. What I didn’t know was that the danger from Epilepsy continues beyond the actual seizures. Angie and I were alerted to SUDEP, or Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy. Like SIDS, those with Epilepsy can die suddenly, and sometimes without a discernible reason. To reduce the risk of SUDEP, Maggie needs to be very consistent with her meds, and also avoid or be aware of triggering events like irregular sleep, infection, etc. Additionally, seizures can’t be allowed to last more than 5 minutes.

The Danny Did foundation helps families acquire life-saving detection devices like we use, so that family members can be alerted to seizures as soon as they happen. We were fortunate enough to be in a position to buy our equipment outright, but Danny Did helps cover the costs for families who can’t afford this equipment. These families deserve peace of mind, too. Will you please help?

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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. Danny Did Foundation takes its 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.