Mark D'Aprile's Fundraiser
I am running to Honor Landon by Protecting Kids with Epilepsy
Support my Chicago Marathon for Danny Did Foundation by Donating
Thank you for considering a donation to support my 26.2 mile Chicago Marathon run dedicated to those facing epilepsy.
My son, Landon, is my guiding light. He was diagnosed with infantile spasms, a rare form of epilepsy, at four months old. Epilepsy had a major impact on Landon’s development. Landon became a regular at the Children's Hospital. He underwent major brain surgery and had a medical device implanted to try to control his seizures.
Despite his own challenges, Landon made everyone happy. His smile was absolutely contagious. He would smile so big, and then fall in for an all-encompassing hug. Landon communicated his joy with those smiles, squeals, and laughs. He showed his positivity to everyone he worked with: parents, teachers, nurses and doctors, therapists and caregivers. He met every challenge head-on and was eager to show off the skills those who worked with him helped develop.
Inspired by Landon, I aim to meet the challenge of the Chicago Marathon head on. I want to help other children with epilepsy live a long, fulfilling life through the efforts of the Danny Did Foundation. I want to run this race with Landon.
Landon tragically passed away on June 6, 2022. He was an inspiration and warrior in the epilepsy community and made friends and admirers wherever he went. Donate to help me honor Landon and bring his smiles to others living with epilepsy.
______________________________________________________________
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 Foundations 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.