We are running to Protect Kids with Epilepsy

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

As many of you are aware, our sister Alyssa has been battling epilepsy for a decade now. Her diagnosis has profoundly influenced our lives, shaping our family dynamics in ways we never imagined. Growing up in a tightly-knit household, we've all been on this journey together, offering unwavering support through countless doctor's appointments, hospital stays, and family counseling sessions. Navigating through the challenges of epilepsy has been a test of resilience for each of us. It's a burden that's difficult to fully comprehend unless you're living through it. Despite the hardships, however, epilepsy has unexpectedly strengthened the bonds within our family.

We've chosen to join Team Danny Did because we understand firsthand the ripple effects epilepsy has on every member of a family. Through raising awareness and fostering support, we believe families can weather this storm together and emerge even stronger in the years to come.

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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.