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. Epilepsy is a big part of our lives, even if we don’t realize it. People all around us suffer from epilepsy or know someone who does. Personally, my sister lived for a year and half with epilepsy. While I was only in 1st grade at the time, her life and death profoundly impacted the rest of my life. From her tragedy, I learned to love with my whole heart, remember to tell those I love how special they are, and to fight for those who don’t have a chance to. My sister never walked or sat up by herself, but she did smile and melt my heart every day she was alive. I want to run this marathon for Mindy- for my angel sister who never got to run here on earth. This foundation changes lives: your donation could be the difference between life and death for many children and adults. Please consider giving to this amazing foundation!

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.